Development of the Master Plan for the David-Frontera – Panama train begins with first meeting

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino; the National Secretary of the Railway, Henry Faarup; and the American company AECOM began the development 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 route and route of the train, as well as the requirements of the work, establishing an estimated cost. It should be ready in six months.

“The train is the most ambitious and most important infrastructure project that I want to lead in Panama,” the president emphasized. “It has an important conception, which is the territorial integration of the country, with emphasis on achieving the development of many areas through which the route must pass, but also, an important concept of expansion of tourism with sectors that have development potential.”

Regarding the scope of the work, the president said that it will operate for both 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 from many companies around the world to participate in the construction of the work, which will be built in accordance with all environmental standards.

“As the railway becomes more sustainable, greener, the banks are interested in giving us more term and better interest. We have invited the Ministry of the Environment to participate from the beginning on the entire railway route,” said Faarup.

“We believe that we will have the necessary factors to start this project in good lid,” he added.

The company AECOM (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations and Management), in coordination with National Government entities, will be responsible for establishing the most efficient route, with the least impact on the environment and with the best cost-benefit ratio for the country.

This implies that the Master Plan will include technical studies, conceptual design, demand analysis, budget estimates and implementation strategies. The construction of at least 70 bridges along the route is expected, including a passage over the Panama Canal, Faarup explained.

“At AECOM we take this responsibility very carefully,” said AECOM’s executive director for the Eastern United States and Latin America, Bane Gaiser. “Not only do the project correctly, but as quickly as possible,” he explained.

At the working table, developed in the Peace Room of the Presidency of the Republic, were also present the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac; the Secretary of Metas and Minister for Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza; the director of Anati, Andrés Pagés; and the governing body of AECOM.

Topics related to territorial planning, sustainability, technical and environmental aspects were addressed.

In December 2024, the company AECOM 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 is based in Los Angeles, California. It operates in more than 150 countries and has offices in America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.