Panama´s President Unveils Plan to Double Canal´s Capacity

An eight-year, $5.25 billion plan to double the Panama Canal´s capacity was recommended by Panama´s President Martin Torrijos earlier this week. The nation´s voters must approve such a project in a referendum.

A press release said that the construction of a new lane and set of locks would be funded by canal tolls. The proposed lock chambers would be 180 feet wide and 60 feet deep, large enough to accommodate the largest of cruise ships.

The Canal´s entrances at the Atlantic and Pacific channels will also be widened and deepened, as well as the navigational channel at Gatun Lake.