Expansion of The Panama Canal

Expansion of The Panama Canal

The third set of locks is a giant project to expand the Panama Canal. This extension will be the largest since the construction of the Canal. The Panama Canal Authority proposed the project after years of study. Panamanian President Martín Torrijos presented the plan on April 24, 2006 and Panamanian citizens approved it in a national referendum on 22 October 2006 by 76.8% of voto. The project plans to double the canal's capacity and allow more traffic. 

The project will create a new car traffic along the Canal by constructing a new set of locks. Details of the project include the following components: 

• Construction of two new lock complexes, one on the Atlantic side and another on the Pacific, each with three cameras, and additional tubs for water recycling; 

• Excavation of new access channels to the new locks and widening of existing navigational channels; 

• Deepening of the navigation channels and elevation of the water level of Gatun Lake operation.

Heres is a video about the process of The Panama Canal in 2014.

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