Panama Canal Bidders Move Into Formal Stage

By C.J. Schexnayder

The Panama Canal Authority on Dec. 17 formally approved four consortiums to compete to construct the $3.35-billion locks at the heart of the $5.25-billion expansion to the historic waterway. Thirty companies from more than a dozen countries make up the four consortiums now prequalified for the locks work. All successfully responded to a request for qualifications last month. Groups are led by Bechtel International Inc.; ACS Servicios, Comunicaciones y Energía, S.L. of Spain; Bouygues Travaux Publics of France; and Spanish company Sacyr Vallehermoso S.A. The canal authority will issue a request for proposals by year-end.

C.J. Schexnayder is the Editor of ENR West. He has contributed to ENR's coverage of the construction industry for more than a decade. His work has focused on major projects, industry trends and emerging technology. He previously was the South America correspondent for the magazine based in Lima, Peru. During that time, he covered numerous large-scale infrastructure projects across the region including the Third Lane Expansion of the Panama Canal. In addition, CJ has been an award-winning newspaper reporter in Southern California, Texas and Louisiana.

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