The director of the Panama Metro, César Pinzón, explained that since the Panama tunnel boring machine (TBM) began operations on September 18, 2024, in the attack shaft located in the Farfán industrial complex, 3.1 kilometers of tunnel have been excavated. On Monday, the Panama TBM completed the first section of the tunnel for Line 3 of the Panama Metro, marking a new milestone of national significance. He added that the TBM has also successfully crossed the navigable channel of the Panama Canal at a depth of 75 meters below sea level. The director of the Panama Metro stated that the TBM will remain in the Balboa ventilation shaft for approximately 63 days, during which a rigorous program of preventive and corrective maintenance will be carried out. Pinzón detailed that 1,560 concrete segments or rings have been installed for tunnel lining, and more than 800,000 cubic meters of material have been removed. This first section covers approximately 70% of the total tunnel length, meaning over 3 kilometers have been excavated under one of the country's most complex environments. The event was led by President José Raúl Mulino, who gave the technical team the order to start the TBM and complete the remaining section. The necessary technical and logistical adjustments are also planned to begin the next phase of tunneling, covering about 1.5 kilometers to Albrook.
First Section of Panama Metro Line 3 Tunnel Completed
The Panama TBM completed the first section of Line 3 tunnel, excavating 3.1 km under one of the country's most complex environments. The TBM also crossed the Panama Canal at a depth of 75 meters. This is a national construction milestone.
