The Panamanian government has committed to building 100 new pedestrian bridges in remote indigenous territories. Officials from the Ministry of Public Works (Panama) announced the plan this week, targeting communities with severe access limitations.
Minister of Public Works José Luis Andrade confirmed the cabinet approved the first phase of 50 bridges. This initial stage involves an investment of $18.1 million. The project focuses primarily on the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, Panama’s largest indigenous region.
“The first 50 bridges of a total of 100 to be built in the comarca are by instruction of the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino,” Andrade stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Construction will immediately begin on a series of nine bridges for one isolated community. That area is located six kilometers from the nearest main road. Minister Andrade cited a recent tragedy there as a catalyst for urgent action.
“One of the priority points of the project corresponds to a community located six kilometers from the main road, where two girls recently died, which highlighted the urgency of improving access,” Andrade explained. [Translated from Spanish]
Project Scope and Immediate Impact
This infrastructure initiative will create 2,750 linear meters of new pedestrian crossings. The network of bridges will directly benefit 43 schools and more than 17,000 students. Project managers also estimate it will generate roughly 500 direct jobs during construction.
Officials have already identified locations for the second batch of 50 bridges. Proposals for those remaining structures must be presented to the cabinet for approval by the end of January. Once all 100 are completed, the government expects the project to positively impact nearly 11,716 residents.
The scale of this effort marks a dramatic shift in infrastructure development for the region. Andrade provided a stark comparison of construction rates across different administrations.
“In the last two five-year periods, only 18 zarzos were built in the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca. In contrast, during the first year of the current administration, 15 were built and for this year the construction of 100 additional ones is projected,” the Minister said. [Translated from Spanish]
This year’s plan would bring the total new bridges built under the current government to 115. Each structure is a simple, functional footbridge designed for safe pedestrian passage over rivers and ravines.
The project represents a direct response to long-standing demands for better connectivity. For generations, residents in these remote areas have faced dangerous river crossings, especially during the rainy season. Children often miss school when waterways become impassable.
Government engineers are now mobilizing equipment and materials to begin work. The Ministry of Public Works has not released a specific completion timeline for the entire 100-bridge project. They confirm, however, that construction on the first group is already underway.