The new Metro line is the largest construction project in the region since the expansion of the Panama Canal. After commissioning of the new line, planned for 2026, traffic congestion in the city should be reduced significantly. At the same time, the population will have access to fast, efficient and sustainable public transportation that will offer considerably shorter travel times than before.

Good planning and organisation, as always, are crucial for success

The new 34km railway between the stations of Albrook and Ciudad del Futuro is predominantly designed as an above-ground monorail. However, a 6km section that crosses the Panama Canal will run underground. A tunnel boring machine is being used to construct the required tunnel for this section. But before the machine can start its work, a starter shaft is needed. The HPH joint venture - comprising Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Posco and Hyundai Engineering Co., Ltd. - tasked Bauer Fundaciones Panama S.A., a subsidiary of Bauer Spezialtiefbau, with the diaphragm wall work. The scope of service also included installing barrettes along with jet grouting work. 

17,000m³ of diaphragm wall  

Bauer's work on this section of the project began in July 2023 and is planned to continue until October 2024. The work is divided into two phases. In the first phase, which has already been completed, Bauer constructed 4837m³ of diaphragm wall for the starter shaft.

"In the second phase, which is currently underway, the elevated railway section will be connected with the underground section using the cut and cover method. An additional 12,000m³ of diaphragm wall still need to be constructed for this phase," Alejandro de la Rosa, project manager at Bauer Panama, explained.

For both work phases, the equipment in use included two MC duty-cycle cranes and two BC cutter units from Bauer Maschinen, several KR rigs from Klemm Bohrtechnik as well as a BE 500 plant from Bauer MAT Slurry Handling Systems. 

Tight schedule, difficult soil conditions, no problem 

"Good planning and organisation, as always, are crucial for success," de la Rosa emphasised.

The biggest challenges were the tight schedule and tough soil conditions. Cutting work in stone with strengths of up to 195MPa was particularly difficult. In some cases, the diaphragm walls were also embedded up to a depth of 15m in weathered and solid rock. To categorise the rock classes, 57 drillings were carried out in advance.

The project manager proudly reported that "thanks to a fantastic team and excellent effort, we have been able to manage these challenges without a problem. We are currently running on time and are optimistic that we will be able to finish the work according to schedule." 

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