Last Gate Installed On Pacific Side

[BillB48]

The last of the 16 rolling gates has been placed in position on the sea entrance of the new Pacific Locks. They mentioned that flooding of the locks is expected to begin "in coming weeks." I don't how soon "coming weeks" will actually be, but the first flooding will probably on the Atlantic Locks as they are further along. There still is an 800 lb gorilla in the room in the form of the on going dispute with the consortium that is doing the work about cost over runs... whether that becomes a factor in further delaying the April 2016 opening... who knows.

 

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/86c1d43b34654449ac8516d4a25c27d8/panama-canal-installs-final-lock-gate-part-expansion

 

Article on the cost over runs...

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/canal-expansion-bill-could-hit-$6-billion

 

PS Don't know why it did not link, the address is good so just copy.

Edited April 30, 2015 by BillB48

[BillB48]

Here you go... a video is worth a lot of typing. In this short clip they do show more than just the gate installation.

 

[Steirisch]

Amazing video...when you see those little people and those giant gates, you appreciate the sheer size and work that it takes. Thanks for posting the link.

[Northern Aurora]

Also wanted to thank Bill for posting the link. We did our fourth full transit last March, and once we reached Colon we visited the new Gatun Locks Visitor Center for a view of the construction work.

[MVPinBoynton]

Great video link! Thanks so much for posting. They have made a lot of progress on the Pacific side since we were there in November.