News

An extension of Panama’s Corredor Norte toll road is expected to open Oct. 15, connecting Brisas del Golf and 24 de Diciembre.

The 10 kilometer extension cost $110 million to complete, according to coverage in La Prensa.

 The Panama Corredor Norte was originally opened in 1998 and provides a major highway link between the outskirts of the city and the northern areas. The new segment will bring the road closer to making a completely loop around the city, creating alternatives to driving through the congested city center.

Panama City receives some well-deserved criticism for traffic. One report from traffic app Waze recently listed the city’s traffic among the worst in the world in its “satisfaction” index, which is certainly an overstatement. (United States ranks among the best on the list, which apparently ignores Los Angeles, New York, Houston and every other big city in the country.)

But there has been amazing progress. The Cinta Costera has created a new route to Amador Causeway—and generated international acclaim. A wide array of road projects was approved last year, including expansion of Corredor Sur. And the expansion of the much-touted Panama metro is moving forward.

With the extension, the Corredor Norte also grows closer to creating real solutions, as Panama City takes its spots among the world’s modern capitals.

The Panama for Real blog wrote a nice detailed description of the Corredor Norte, which can be found here.