The Sanitation Program of Panama has begun expanding the sanitary sewer network in San Francisco. The project, called “Expansion of the Sanitary Network of Coco del Mar and Viña del Mar,” carries an investment of approximately $3 million. Work started on April 15 and will run through December.
Officials confirmed the 240-day construction schedule spans eight months. Crews are opening existing trenches, removing old wastewater pipes, and replacing them with larger capacity lines. The goal is to improve black water management in these communities. Workers operate Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The project runs on two simultaneous fronts to cut total construction time.
Two Construction Fronts Target Key Streets
Front 1 covers Calle 80, Calle Las Begonias, and Calle 79 up to the intersection with Andrés Mojica Street, facing the PH Dovle Selva building. It also includes the transversal roads Las Amapolas and Esther Neyra. Front 2 covers Calle 79 from the Andrés Mojica intersection to the San Francisco de La Caleta church, plus all transversal streets in the area.
Authorities said work requires partial closures of one or two blocks. This approach aims to minimize traffic disruption. Only residents can drive on the streets under construction. Traffic controllers will stand at the start and end of each construction segment. Pedestrian sidewalks will remain open throughout the project, officials assured.
“The first road closure will be on Calle 79, between Andrés Mojica Street and Calle 50,” a spokesperson for the Sanitation Program of Panama said. [Translated from Spanish]
Alternative routes for drivers include Andrés Mojica Street in both directions, Eduardo L. Maduro Lindo Street, and Calle 50 along Nicanor de Obarrio Avenue. All these roads lead to the Cincuentenario highway.
Community Coordination Precedes Construction
Officials announced and coordinated these works in advance with the Community Board and the Local Development Board of the San Francisco township. The goal was to inform residents about construction in the Coco del Mar area. The expansion and improvement of the sanitary network directly benefits this neighborhood.
The San Francisco (Panama) project forms part of broader efforts to modernize the city’s sewer infrastructure. It aims to reduce problems linked to the wastewater system. Aging pipes often cause overflows and blockages during heavy rains.
Local development initiatives like this support infrastructure resilience. The expansion addresses growing population density in the area. Better sewage handling prevents environmental contamination and protects public health.
Residents should expect temporary disruptions but gain long-term system improvements. The street network upgrades represent a strategic investment in urban infrastructure. Officials encourage patience during the eight-month construction period.
Work crews will post signage at closure points. Drivers should plan alternate routes during peak hours. The project demonstrates Panama’s commitment to modernizing essential public services. Local development efforts continue to shape the capital’s urban landscape.