The Panama Railway Secretariat will begin a comprehensive socioeconomic census along the proposed Panama-David train route on February 18. This critical data collection effort marks a major preparatory step for the 475-kilometer rail project intended to connect Panama City to the border with Costa Rica.
Officials stated the census is designed to understand the conditions of communities along the corridor before finalizing plans. The process aims to register households, businesses, and farms to inform future decisions with accurate data.
Secretariat representatives emphasized the survey’s role in responsible planning.
“This census is a responsible step to understand the reality of the communities where the train route will have an impact,” a Secretariat statement read. [Translated from Spanish] It allows for development planning with order, respect, and transparency.
Fieldwork conducted by personnel from the firm WSP is projected to last approximately four months. Survey teams carrying official identification will visit properties within the project’s area of influence to document current social and economic conditions.
Project Scope and Phased Development
The envisioned passenger and cargo rail line would feature around 14 stations across its full length. Its terminus is planned for Paso Canoas at the Costa Rican border, a key crossing point for regional trade and tourism. The project’s technical phase continues concurrently, involving final route alignment, demand studies, and the design of complex infrastructure like the Campana tunnel.
Initial construction will focus on a 200-kilometer segment from Panama City to Divisa. This first phase includes stations in towns like Chame, Rio Hato, Penonome, and Aguadulce. It will establish both passenger stations and strategic freight nodes, forming the backbone of the larger Panama train initiative to modernize national logistics.
A final total cost for the entire railway has not been announced. Engineering studies remain underway to determine the full financial scope.
Securing International Expertise
The Panamanian Cabinet approved a key contract in January to advance the project’s technical foundations. Resolution No. 145-25 authorized the Panama Railway Secretariat to hire U.S.-based firm AECOM USA, Inc. for advisory services.
That contract, valued at $4,170,394.73, covers preliminary engineering for the Albrook-Sajalices segment and consolidates studies needed for a final feasibility document. This move signals the government’s commitment to leveraging international expertise for the massive undertaking.
Linking the capital to the prosperous Chiriqui province, the railway promises to reshape domestic travel and freight movement. It could also enhance connectivity to growing tourist destinations in the western regions, potentially impacting areas like Paso Canoas. The data gathered from the upcoming socioeconomic census will directly guide how the project addresses resettlement, economic displacement, and community integration.
Project leaders now face a tight schedule. They must complete the census, finalize engineering designs, and secure financing before construction can begin on what would be one of Panama’s largest infrastructure projects in decades.