Mike Kennedy arrived in Panama earlier this year to head CH2M Hill’s management of the $5.25 billion Panama Canal Third Lane Expansion. The CH2M Hill Executive Vice president is a 38-year veteran of the Denver, Col.-based firm. He previously served as the president of the company’s Transportation Business Group, handling management services for several major jobs such as London’s $22 billion Crossrail Programme and Vancouver’s $4.5 billion Gateway Program. CH2M Hill is working in close association with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to oversee the expansion effort and, particularly, the design/build locks contract due to be awarded this summer. Kennedy sat down with ENR in his new office near the Miraflores Locks in Panama City to discuss the historic project and the challenges it presents over the next five years.