Last Sunday we had a fantastic opportunity! The ACP (Panama Canal Authority) opened the new locks to the public for one day only, and anyone who wanted to visit was welcome. I had seen photos and read articles, but to actually go to the construction site was too exciting to pass up. Next month they are going to start filling the locks with water so this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
It all started when someone posted this article on Facebook http://www.prensa.com/sociedad/visita_a_esclusas_0_4201080042.html All we needed to do was show up at the designated parking area wearing long pants and proper footwear for a construction zone.
So, we took the bus to Panama City on Saturday, booked the Allbrook Inn for a couple nights, and contacted Luis Arce to pick us up and drive us to the site.
There was a ton of traffic and it took us two hours of stop and go to arrive at the parking area.
We went on the Centennial Bridge over the canal.
We made it to the parking area! It was full though so they directed us to the Comisariato Aeronaval nearby.
I’m not sure what the goats were doing there but they acted like they belonged. Maybe they were part of the lawn maintenance team. They were there when we returned also.
We made it to the parking area, and then made our way to the main parking area where there was a long line around the parking lot and down the street.
The line goes all the way down the street and around that parking lot you can see in the distance.
We made it to the parking lot!
This bird was very upset with anyone who walked across the field by the parking lot.
A few people, like this lady, went over to the bird. It was fine as long as you faced it, but when you turned to walk back the bird would attack.
According to my bird book, this is a southern lapwing.
More and more people kept arriving, and the line stretched farther down the street.
We’re almost to the buses!
We were in this line about two hours before we made it to the bus, most of it in light to heavy rain. People were upbeat and cheerful though and didn’t seem to mind getting wet. Here though the rain is warm and getting wet is a common occurrence.
The bus took us on a short ride, and then let us off in another parking lot where there was a huge line!
The line looked really huge but it moved fast and took only about an hour.
The last part of the waiting was in this covered area but by now the rain was letting up.
Then, finally, we made it to the end of this line, passed through the entrance, and then we were loaded on to more buses.
In a few minutes we were obviously getting into the construction site.
And, then, we were THERE!
The bus drove down into the lock and let us off.
Joel is excited too!
This is one of many water stations we saw throughout the day. The staff all had t-shirts that said – I am a part of history! They were very friendly and seemed happy to help guests and be a part of this day.
I was wet and bedraggled too, but really happy!
There were various spots for photos. Here a staff member is taking a photo for these folks in front of one of the spaces where the water goes in and out of the lock. The sign says – A day in your history.
The most popular photo spot was in front of these massive doors.
This is looking south to the other end of these locks.
The huge doors run on these tracks.
There were many police, soldiers, attendants, and other personnel keeping order (not that it was a problem. Everyone was pretty mellow)
Looking north from where we were, we could see more buses coming down into the lock.
Everyone was excited to see this guy, the director of the canal. (white hat, black shirt)
There was a drone making passes overhead, and when it went over everyone would cheer and wave their flags.
The director stopped for photos with many people.
Finally, after a wonderful visit and many photos, we got in line for the next bus.
I believe I have identified the director in the white hat and black shirt as Guillermo O Chapman, Jr. and clicking on his name will take you to some information about him.
We boarded the next bus and headed to the “mirador” or look out spot. Every bus had someone in a lime green t-shirt cheerfully telling us where we were going, what we were going to see, and any other information that would be helpful.
We passed a few of these big trucks used for hauling dirt.
Another bridge, and I’m not sure if this is part of the chambers and holding areas for water. These locks will reuse water because they use too much to fill them from the lake and discard it all downstream.
Buildings under construction along the way.
And, a tower is going up.
We approach the other end of the locks.
At first I thought we must be at different locks, until I looked way down in the distance in one of these photos and saw we were actually at the other end of these same locks. The size and scope of all this is pretty incredible.
We are dropped off at another spot with people to guide us, more bathrooms, and water stations.
Behind us is the canal currently in use. That black ship was making its way south towards the Pacific.
There was a big container ship on the far side loaded with containers.
They had constructed a look out area for people to see the site and take photos.
Here is the view from up there! It wasn’t until I got home and looked at this photo that I was sure we were looking at the same locks. Look closely way down in the distance and you can see buses bringing people down into the lock.
All good things eventually come to a close. We were loaded on buses and taken back to the area of the second lines, and from there there were buses either back to the parking area or to Albrook bus station.
As we left I saw this sign – Never Forget this Day, a Day in your History. Yes indeed, so true!
This was an all day event, but an excellent experience! I heard later that 45,000 people visited. A lot of credit goes to the people who organized all this, the personnel, the buses, the parking and waiting areas, the water, the bathrooms, the little flags that were handed out to everyone, music, drones, security, and I’m sure a lot more things than we realize. They did an excellent job of handling this many people and making it a great day for everyone.
Here is some more information on this construction project
http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_expansion_project
Plans are for the canal to be open and operational in 2016. I definitely want to go back then, and that will be even more interesting after seeing it before the water!
About Kris Cunningham
We live in David, Chiriqui Provence, Republic of Panama! This blog is about some of our experiences in our new country.
The Panama Adventure 
Fantastic, Kris. Thanks for the pics. Some of them, like 415Canal16 really show the tremendous size of those locks. I don’t think I could have handled the waiting time. I don’t have that kind of patience, but glad YOU DO so we could see this.
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We knew it was going to be a lot of waiting, so we just hung out and talked with those around us and it didn’t seem bad at all. And, we got wet but it was an overcast day, much better than hot with the sun beating down. I’m really glad we went because it was fantastic to see! Glad you enjoyed the pics 🙂
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What a grand opportunity, wish we would have done the same. Going to Panama this weekend to meet some friends from California that have been here all week for a conference.
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Yes indeed, it was really cool. I hope you have a good visit in PC too 🙂
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Kris ,
What a nice opportunity and so good you have a patient husband who doesn’t mind waiting all that long in a very long line. Mine would NEVER do that – once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or not.
Sunni
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He isn’t always that patient but we knew what to expect, and he was excited to be there too so it was worth the wait.
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Great that you took advantage of the opportunity. Thanks again for share of the trip.
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My pleasure! This was one I couldn’t pass up.
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Wow, how very exciting for you to have been there! I may have given up after seeing the crowds. It is just amazing the technology and this massive project! Thank you, so much for hanging in there to be a part of history and show us your fantastic photos, Kris 😉
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My pleasure, glad you enjoyed them. We were prepared to stand around for a long time so it didn’t seem bad, and I’m so glad we could go.
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Now, YOU are a part of History
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Yes indeed!
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Kris, Thanks do much for this wonderful post. My friend and I were there on Saturday and debated whether to stay over an additional day to have this experience. Now I feel like I have been there with you. We decided to head back to Boquete on Sunday. A good choice for us I think. The crowds look pretty daunting . Hope to see you around Boquete or on the trail.
Kat McKay
Sent from my iPad
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The crowds were big, but we figured this was our only chance so we went for it. I’m glad to share the photos and glad you enjoyed them. We come up to Boquete once in a while so who knows, our paths might cross. We’re going up tonight in fact to check out the new roller skating rink.
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It definitely looks like every long line was worth the wait. This was a tremendous opportunity. Thanks for sharing your historic experience with us, Kris.
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It was and we were so glad we could go. Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
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Loved it. We are in the states now and I’m digitizing all my old photo albums. Whew..what a job.
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Ahh yes, I should do that but I never have. I hope you are having a good time on your trip! I think I’ll be in your area (Ometepe) in early July, so we’ll talk when you get back and I have my plans more firmed up.
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Thanks for the photos, what an experience you had. We saw the original locks when we were last in Panama, it is very impressive what they built. Seems like it was well planned, not problems at all. I don’t think my husband would wait, but it would have been nice to see also. Maybe we can go to Panama next year and see it when it opens. You certainly are enjoying your adopted country, can’t wait to begin our journey there. I plan on taking Spanish classes in the University here, it is free for Seniors. Next semester is full, I plan on signing for the next one.
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They did an amazing job on the canal in the past. 100 years of continuous operation! It will be interesting to see the new locks in operation and I am looking forward to that too.
There are places on line where you can study Spanish too, like duolingo that is popular with many people. It’s hard to learn another language so every little bit helps!
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Great pics Kris you captured the moment very well.
Just a curious question… in some pics it looks like the bottom ( floor) of the locks is gravel and the rest mostly cement. Is that just some area not cemented in yet?
Looking forward to seeing Joel play tonight!
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If I remember, it was all cement, maybe not smooth or without debris, but I don’t remember gravel. I wasn’t looking down too much though.
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Ooh, I went back and looked and you are right. Where the buses dropped off and loaded up does look like gravel.
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Great post! Being able to see the construction site was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks for going and sharing with us!
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My pleasure! It was amazing to be able to go and I’m glad to share the experience. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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