Development of the master plan for the David-Frontera train begins-Panama

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino; the National Secretary of the Railroad, Henry Faarup; and the American company AECOM began the elaboration of the Master Plan for the David-Frontera-Panama train, the main infrastructure work promoted by the national government.
The master plan, in charge of AECOM, will determine the specific layout and route of the train, as well as the requirements of the work, establishing an estimated cost. You must be ready in six months.
“The train is the most ambitious and most important infrastructure project that I want to lead in Panama,” said the president. “It has an important conception, which is the territorial integration of the country, with emphasis on achieving the development of many areas where the route must pass, but also, an important concept of expansion of tourism with sectors that have development potential.”
On the scope of the work, the president said he will operate both for passenger and cargo transport, with an important tourist component, and the potential to extend to the rest of the countries of Central America.
For his part, Faarup stressed that there is interest of many companies worldwide to participate in the construction of the work, which will be built by adjusting to all environmental standards.
«While the railroad becomes more sustainable, greener, banks are interested in giving us more periods and better interests. We have invited to participate in the Ministry of Environment from the beginning in the entire railway layout, ”said Faarup.
“We believe we are going to have the necessary factors to start this project in good lid,” he added.
The AECOM company (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations and Management), in coordination with national government entities, will be responsible for establishing the most efficient route, of lower impact to the environment and with the best cost-benefit ratio for the country.
The above implies that the master plan will include technical studies, conceptual design, demand analysis, budgetary estimates and implementation strategies. The construction of at least 70 bridges is anticipated along the route, including a step on the Panama Canal, Faarup explained.
“In Aecom we take this responsibility very carefully,” said the executive director of AECOM for eastern United States and Latin America, Bane Gaiser. “Not only do the project correctly, but as fast as possible,” he explained.
At the work table, developed in the Paz Hall of the Presidency of the Republic, the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac; the Secretary of Goals and Minister for Channel Affairs, José Ramón Icaza; the director of the Anati, Andrés Pagés; and the director of AECOM.
Issues related to territorial planning, sustainability, technical and environmental aspects were addressed.
In December 2024, the AECOM company was hired by the National Government for the Technical Advice of the Master Plan, for B/.2.2 million.
The engineering, consulting and infrastructure management company hosts in Los Angeles, California. It operates in more than 150 countries and has offices in America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.