Panama Metro, S.A. will begin installing the structural beams for its new underground monorail line on Monday, December 22. This crucial step advances the construction of Line 3, a major infrastructure project designed to transform transportation in Panama West. The work marks a decisive phase for the tunnel, which currently shows 46 percent overall progress.
Crews will transport and assemble the massive running beams that will form the track bed inside the subterranean portion of the line. Operations are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Officials confirmed no beam transfers will occur on December 24, 25, 30, or 31 to accommodate holiday logistics and reduce public disruption.
Engineering and Logistics of Beam Installation
Each pre-cast beam measures 12 meters long and weighs 36 metric tons. They were manufactured at the PC Yard plant in Puerto Vacamonte. The structures meet all safety parameters established by Panama’s Land Transit and Transportation Authority. This initial installation phase will place 90 beams within the tunnel section built using traditional methods.
Subsequent work will equip the segment excavated by the specialized tunnel boring machine named “Panama.” The tunnel itself runs beneath the active channel of the Panama Canal, representing a significant engineering feat. Once complete, trains will operate on this underground guideway.
“We thank the public for their understanding and reiterate these works are necessary for the project’s advancement,” stated an official release from Panama Metro. [Translated from Spanish]
The company urged drivers to heed all traffic signs and safety measures in work zones. Beam transportation will follow a pre-approved Traffic Management Plan route from Puerto Vacamonte to the Farfan Industrial Complex.
A partir del lunes 22 de diciembre, iniciará el proceso de equipamiento del tramo soterrado de la #Línea3 con el traslado de vigas por donde circularán los trenes tipo monorriel.
— El Metro de Panamá (@elmetrodepanama) December 20, 2025
🕗 Horario de trabajo:
De 8:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.
⚠️ Importante:
📆 Los días 24, 25, 30 y 31 de… pic.twitter.com/KIUyNNVVCB
Immediate Impact and Project Significance
The start of beam installation signals a visible shift from excavation to internal outfitting. Project managers consider this stage critical for maintaining the overall construction timeline. While the work may cause temporary traffic inconveniences, authorities stress its importance for long-term regional connectivity.
Line 3 aims to drastically improve mobility between Panama City and the densely populated western provinces. Its development, including this tunnel segment, is a cornerstone of the country’s national infrastructure strategy. The project continues moving forward como parte of broader regional development efforts.
Transport logistics for such heavy components require precise coordination. The beams will travel from the manufacturing plant at puerto vacamonte along the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway. The route then continues onto the President Roberto F. Chiari road before reaching the installation site at the Panama Pacifico interchange.
With the holiday pause scheduled, crews expect to resume intensive installation work in early January. The project’s progression remains a key indicator of Panama’s public transit expansion.