Panama’s transit authority will suspend all lane-closing construction on major highways and city avenues for six days to ease traffic during the national holidays Panama celebrates in early November. The measure runs from Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 a.m. through Thursday, November 5 at 11:00 p.m.
The Autoridad del Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (ATTT) coordinated the order with the National Police’s Traffic Operations Directorate. Officials said the goal is to improve vehicle flow and road safety during a period that typically sees heavy travel between provinces.
National Holidays Panama Road Clearance Plan
The suspension applies to any work requiring lane occupation on the Pan-American Highway, from La Espiga de La Chorrera to the Paso Canoas border crossing. On Panama City’s east side, crews must clear the stretch between the Corredor Sur interchange and Las Garzas de Pacora.
Authorities also included the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway, a critical link between the western sector and the capital. The ATTT said the temporary ban covers both public and private construction projects that would otherwise reduce road capacity.
La Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre (ATTT) @atttpanama anunció la suspensión temporal de todas las obras y trabajos que ocupen carriles en las principales vías del país por las fiestas patrias. La medida va desde el sábado 31 de octubre a la 1:00 a.m. hasta el jueves 5 de noviembre a las 11:00 p.m. y busca garantizar la fluidez y seguridad vial durante el feriado nacional. Aplica en tramos de la Carretera Panamericana, Autopista Arraiján-La Chorrera, Corredor Sur, Vía Transístmica y avenidas clave de la ciudad como Domingo Díaz, Ricardo J. Alfaro, Torrijos, España y Simón Bolívar. La ATTT, en coordinación con la Policía Nacional, pide a conductores respetar la señalización y seguir las indicaciones de los inspectores de tránsito. 📲#HispaniaInforma | Información que importa #panama #attt #fiestaspatrias Noticias Panamá
— Hispania Informa (@HispaniaInfo) October 23, 2026
Capital Avenues Impacted by Roadwork Halt
Nine major Panama City corridors fall under the order. These include Vía Transístmica, Avenida Domingo Díaz, Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro, and Avenida José María Torrijos. Also listed are Avenida José Agustín Arango, Avenida Simón Bolívar, Avenida Israel, Avenida España, and Avenida Cincuentenario. Identified as particularly sensitive traffic arteries, these routes are presently undergoing active maintenance and upgrade works designed to address long-standing road degradation.”
Detalles de la adaptación:
The ATTT typically issues similar suspensions during Semana Santa and year-end holidays, when thousands of residents leave the capital for interior provinces. This November period coincides with multiple patriotic observances that generate extended family travel and tourism activity.
Traffic Enforcement and Travel Expectations During Holidays
The National Police will monitor compliance along the designated corridors. Contractors who violate the suspension face potential fines and penalties under Panamanian traffic regulations. Transit officials urged drivers to plan routes in advance despite the absence of construction-bottlenecks.
Regional bus terminals and the Tocumen International Airport usually report increased passenger volumes during this holiday window. The ATTT has not announced additional lane reversals or special transit measures beyond the construction freeze, but said it will deploy extra inspectors to verify that worksites remain inactive.
Although this measure is expected to lighten the vehicular flow during the peak travel days at the start and end of the national holidays, drivers are still advised to plan ahead. Authorities warn that heavy congestion remains likely along major routes for anyone heading out of or returning to Panama City during the holiday travel windows.