Latest Video From The Panama Canal Authority

[BillB48]

Below is a quick 1.5 minute latest video put out by the Panama Canal Authority showing a flyover of both the Atlantic and Pacific expansion locks construction. Also early on in the video note the Guayacan Trees in their full Dry Season bloom.

Enjoy..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlAUxBZe_Mo

[Darcy15]

Thank you for taking the time to post the link.

Very interesting - what an amazing engineering feat the canal is.

Hope to do this trip next year

[juniper berries]

Thankyou so much for posting the video it is really exciting to see. The vdeo really shows how much work is involved with the expansion. Also those old photos you posted.

[Azulann]

Bill,
thanks so much for the link to this video.
Looks like the new construction is coming along.
During our full transit in December , all we saw were the tops of all those cranes, and only a small sight of the new canal area.

Looks like I will need to do a canal cruise again, on a bigger ship so I go through the new canal.

[Northern Aurora]

I also wanted to thank you for posting. We've done three complete transits, and once the new locks are completed, will consider another.

[BillB48]

Welcome to all.... It's fun to follow the progress. If you have not already come across the link below, it is updated daily with various pictures from the new Atlantic and Pacific Locks as well as the Pacific Access Channel which will connect Gaillard Cut with the new Pacific Locks... http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/webcams-works.html

Originally Posted by Azulann

During our full transit in December , all we saw were the tops of all those cranes, and only a small sight of the new canal area.

I know what you mean.... when I went through at the end of October I sure wished I could have gotten a little closer. However, on the Atlantic side they have recently opened up an observation area and visitor's center which gives a good look at the construction and ultimately the new locks as well. Maybe another reason to schedule another transit... as though I really need a reason!

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the video!

[atb]

Original timeline was for 2014, but doesn't appear anywhere close to that timeline. Any new projections?
We have 2 canal passages, and are waiting for the new locks to travel through again.

[BillB48]

Originally Posted by atb

Original timeline was for 2014, but doesn't appear anywhere close to that timeline. Any new projections?
We have 2 canal passages, and are waiting for the new locks to travel through again.

I was talking to a friend who still has close connections on the Canal and he told me that the Canal officials are privately admitting to 9 months behind schedule. That in mind, it would would certainly be mid 2015 before they slide the gates open and welcome post-Panamax customers. I would not be surprised if the first post-Panamax passenger ship waited until sometime in 2016 to make an appearance to make sure some of the bugs have been ironed out. The cruise lines also may wish to give the Canal a little additional time to practice on their new techniques of getting ships through the new locks.