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What is the differential value of FCC
Construcción in the execution of metro
lines?
FCC has the expertise for this type of pro-
ject and a human capital with great expe-
rience in these types of projects abroad. Of
the FCC personnel working on the project,
99% knows the Panamanian market and is
aware of the difficulties entailed in the exe-
cution of projects in Panama. The personnel
is used to executing projects with very de-
manding timetables, projects such as Line
1 of the Metro, PAC IV, the Vía Brasil I and
II corridors, Hospital Chicho Fábregas, etc.
This represents a guarantee for the success
of the project.
What is the repercussion on the exe-
cution of this project of the know-how
acquired in building Line 1?
It has been essential. Although there are
small differences, it is worth noting that Line 2
is very similar to the elevated part of L1. The
difference is that instead of the 7 km-long via-
duct between Line 1 and the 6 above-ground
stations, now in L2 there are almost 23 kilo-
metres of viaduct (21 km of metro line plus
access to the patios and workshops) and 16
above-ground stations, plus the railway con-
nection between L1 and L2.
What are the main problems being en-
countered in the execution of Line 2 of
the Metro?
One of the key aspects is the execution ti-
metable, the delivery of 21 km of metro line
and 16 stations and having the entire railway
system functioning in only 44 months. Even
the client is considering the possibility of re-
ducing the execution time by five months.
This means that all the civil works have to
be completed in practically 24 months (2016
and 2017). It is necessary to work in many
fronts at the same time in the two avenues
that form part of the route (Domingo Díaz
Avenue and Panamericana Avenue) both of
which suffer from traffic congestion throug-
hout most of the day. According to the ten-
der specifications, two lanes in each direc-
tion in these avenues must be open to traffic
and, therefore, many activities can only be
performed at night, such as most of the con-
crete work and the assembly of the beams
that form the viaduct and the stations.
Another problem is relocating public servi-
ces (drinking water, electricity and telecom li-
nes, storm drainage, etc.). This involves a lot
of work and, at the end this is in the hands
of the different operators or of their authori-
sed subcontractors and means that you are
never able to have full control of the process.
What are the project milestones?
Some of the important milestones include
work to be able to begin assembling the U-
beams, which was executed last August, as
well as the delivery of the first section of the
viaduct to GDE, the subcontractor in charge
of the electromechanical aspects, the insta-
llation of the comprehensive railway system
and the supply of rolling stock., last Octo-
ber, as scheduled, making it possible to start
building the railway.
Another major milestone was the start of
construction of the San Miguelito Station
that will serve as the interexchange connec-
ting L2 and L2. To accomplish this, it was
necessary to liberate the area next to the
San Miguelito intersection, one of the most
congested in Panama City, as well as the
demolition of existing structures.
The next milestones will be, in January, the
construction of the roofs of the stations
and the metal structures to support the
escalators and the metal structures for the
elevators. The escalators will be installed
in February as well as the partitions in the
stations. Another important milestone will be
the arrival of the first train, expected in the
fourth quarter of next year.
What are the environmental implica-
tions and the protective measures im-
plemented in the project?
It is necessary to define the procedures that,
complying with the various environmental re-
gulations in the country, make it possible to
implement such measures to prevent and/
or minimise any possible harm to the natural
ecosystems and the population. These pro-
cedures are contemplated in the Environ-
mental Plan and include handling of landfill
sites, monitoring the climate, air, water, vi-
brations, as well as reforestation procedures
to protect flora and fauna and the archaeolo-
gical, historical and cultural program.
The start-up of Line 1 of the Metro Sys-
tem and the execution of Line w will
articulate the public transport network
of Panama. What are the social implica-
tions of the execution of this project?
The execution of L2 will significantly improve
the quality of life of residents in this part of
Panama City. It is estimated that more than
500,000 Panamanians will benefit and will
save between 1 and two hours of commu-
ting time in each trip.
During the execution of the project, the
communities or neighbourhoods adjacent to
these lines will also benefit since, currently,
more than 50% of the workers hired by the
consortium live in these communities.
Interview with the
deputy manager of Line 2
of Panama Metro
,
Santiago Erans
Business
Construction