The Panama Fourth Bridge Consortium (CPCP) plans to use explosives over the next two years in several communities near the Panama Canal. This consortium has requested authorization from the Ministry of Environment to reduce Cerro Sosa, an elevation at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. The access viaduct route for the fourth bridge over the Canal has been modified.
The Neighborhood Association of Ciudad Jardín Diablo Heights has reported that this work violates land regulations in the interoceanic region. The CPCP justifies the use of explosives by arguing the hardness of the rock at Cerro Sosa, proposing controlled detonations in a specific area of the project.
The Panama Fourth Bridge Consortium is made up of Chinese companies and is responsible for the construction of the Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal, with a contractual cost of over 2 billion dollars and a work progress of 18%. This construction has raised concerns in nearby communities such as La Boca, Balboa, Tabernilla, San Pablo, and Diablo Heights, as well as at the Balboa port.
Initially, the bridge route would pass near the Panama Port Company port, but due to objections, it was redesigned to be located over Cerro Sosa, impacting residential and commercial areas of Ancón. The use of dynamite is requested to fracture the rock in an extensive area of the hill. Neighborhood organizations have expressed their concern since more than 10,000 people and numerous businesses and schools operate in these affected communities.
In summary, the construction of the Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal has generated controversy due to the use of explosives in urban areas and the potential violation of environmental and land use regulations.
