The Cabinet Council of Panama has approved a resolution authorizing a contract through an exceptional procedure between the National Railway Secretariat (SNDF) and the renowned, globally experienced US company AECOM USA, Inc. (AECOM Panama). The contract, amounting to $4,170,394.73, is for technical and strategic advice for the engineering development of the Albrook-Sajalices section and for consolidating the studies for the feasibility document of the Panama-David-Border Train project. This project, promoted by President José Raúl Mulino, is an ambitious initiative to develop a railway line connecting Panama City with David, in the province of Chiriquí, and extending it to the border with the Republic of Costa Rica. It also aims to improve transport infrastructure in Panama, facilitating the movement of people and cargo between these important regions of the country and access to international markets. In addition, the SNDF has requested the inclusion of 20% engineering development for the additional sections between Albrook Station and El Espino, as well as the development of a 20% conceptual design for the fifth bridge over the Panama Canal, which is critical infrastructure for the railway corridor connection. The SNDF reported that it has advanced in the project's master plan, as well as in the scope of the 20% engineering development of a section of Phase 1, the contracting of studies for environmental impact assessment, target population studies and market analysis, financial evaluation, and economic and social evaluation.
