Press Release

First underground rail line for Panama City

Panama City – The capital of Panama is not only the political, economic, cultural and tourist centre of the country; with a population of some 700,000 people it is also the biggest city. Work is currently underway to build Panama City's first underground rail line. The infrastructure pro-ject, to install a line running some 13.5 kilometres, is aimed at reducing car and bus traffic con-gestion and enhancing transport links for locals and tourists alike.

BAUER Fundaciones Panamá S.A., a subsidiary of the German BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH, has been contracted by a Brazilian/Spanish joint venture – Consorcio Línea Uno – to install the excavation pit walls for four of the total of eight underground stations currently planned. The work involves cutting approximately 36,000 square metres of 1 metre thick diaphragm wall at cutting depths between 25 and 30 metres. One of the stations is also planned to serve as the start shaft for the tunnel bore machine.

The subsidiary of BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH began cutting work for the first station in Panama City in late June. Work on the second station started in early August. The work is being carried out by two Bauer BC 40 cutters.