- Location: Autopista Panamá-La Chorrera, Panama
- Scope: 6 lanes of the Pan-American Highway
- Type of construction: cable-stayed bridge
- Overall length: 1052 m
- Length of main span: 420 m
- Clearance above sea level: 80 m
- Total cost: $ 120 million.
- Date of opening: August 15, 2004.
Speaking about the sights of Panama , first of all we remember the famous man-made structure - the Panama Canal , dividing the North and South America. However, there is also a popular "unifying" project - the Bridge of the Century, which is the main overpass through the channel connecting the western and eastern regions of Panama: Arraikhan and Cerro Patakon. The Bridge of the Century is located 15 km from the previously single cable-insoluble Bridge of the Two Americas .
Historical reference
For a long time the biggest road crossing through the Panama Canal was the Bridge of the Two Americas, built in the 60s. Over a period of several years, the capacity of the bridge has greatly decreased, which has led to the formation of constant congestion on the Pan-American Highway. The design competition of the Boston architect Miguel Rosales won the competition for projects on the erection of a new cable-stayed bridge. The contract with a hard work schedule was signed in 2002. Under the leadership of Rosales, the architectural masterpiece was designed in 29 months. The new bridge was named in honor of the centennial of Panama's independence officially celebrated on November 3, 2003.
Design Features
The Centenary Bridge in Panama is a six-lane cable-stayed construction - these are two three-lane carriageways. The scale of construction by right can be considered grandiose. The bridge is 80 m high above the Panama Canal. Its total length is 1052 m and the length of the central span is 420 m. The bridge is supported by two pylons, at a height of 184 m. Such dimensions ensure unobstructed passage under the bridge of any larger vessels, and also water passenger and freight vehicles.
The construction of the Bridge of the Century required 66,000 cubic meters. m concrete, 12000 tons of reinforcement, 1400 tons of supporting structures and 1000 tons of metal structures. In addition, 100,000 cu. m of earth. The Bridge of the Century became a unique structure of modernity, executed in accordance with all the standards provided by the American Association of State Highways and Transport.
The total cost of the construction of the structure was 120 million dollars, and the financing was carried out by the Government of Panama with the support of the European Investment Bank. The official opening of the Centenary Bridge in Panama was celebrated on August 15, 2004. But the traffic on the motorway was launched only in early September 2005 after the completion of the construction of new highways that lead to the bridge.
How to get to the Bridge of the Century?
From any city in the country, you can easily reach the Bridge of the Century by public transport , a rented car or taxi. For example, from the capital by bus from the bus station La Loma-I with transfers to Martin Sosa-R and Don Bosco Norte-I you need to get to Cancha Paraiso-I and to the destination to walk for about 20 minutes. The trip will take about 4 hours and will cost $ 1.75. If you use taxi services, then significantly reduce travel time. Through Corredor Nte. and Autopista Panamá-La Chorrera / Vía Centenario without traffic jams can be reached in about 40 minutes.
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