The Minister of Canal Affairs and Secretary of Goals, José Ramón Icaza Clément, highlighted this Saturday, January 17, that the San Miguelito cable car is consolidating as one of the Government's flagship projects and is already in the bidding process, with the expectation of receiving proposals in February. The project aims to improve urban mobility in one of the country's most densely populated districts and is part of the priority infrastructure agenda.
Icaza emphasized that the San Miguelito cable car represents an innovative public transport solution for the district, while also integrating into a broader vision for modernizing mobility in Panama. The minister explained that the Executive is advancing in parallel on major transport initiatives, including the feasibility study for the national railway, developed with the support of internationally renowned firms such as AECOM (technical component), KPMG (financial and economic modeling), STEER (demand study), and WSP (environmental baseline), as well as Panamanian companies in charge of geotechnical, geological, and cartographic studies. The Government plans to conclude the study in the second quarter of 2026 and present the results to the country, as part of a campaign promise by President José Raúl Mulino Quintero.
Regarding road works, Icaza highlighted the progress of the Fourth Bridge, which has surpassed 30% of its execution, and announced that the workforce will be reinforced to accelerate work during the summer of 2026. Likewise, he reported on the progress of Metro Line 3, whose tunneling machines are in the final phase heading to Balboa for maintenance before continuing to Albrook, with an estimated completion date of October 2028.
Icaza also reviewed the potable water and sanitation projects, highlighting advances in the rehabilitation of water treatment plants nationwide, as well as the Arraiján plant, considered key for the province of West Panama. He added the reactivation of the wastewater treatment plant in David and the efforts to rescue the Gamboa plant, which was found abandoned.
Finally, addressing the management of waste collection in San Miguelito, the minister stated that the Executive body abides by the board resolution that instructs the Urban and Domestic Cleaning Authority to take control of the service in the district. He specified that any legal action filed must be resolved by the Judicial Branch, while the Government complies with the administrative decision to address the crisis.
