What Happened
The Ministry of Public Works will tender a $10 million project to widen and rehabilitate the José Agustín Arango road between the Cerro Azul entrance and Pacora, one of the busiest corridors in eastern Panama City.
The first phase of the project covers about 4.8 kilometers and aims to ease traffic congestion for residents of 24 de Diciembre and Pacora, two districts that send thousands of drivers toward the capital each day.
How the Road Will Change
The plan calls for expanding the route to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction and a central median. Each lane will measure 3.35 meters wide, and the design includes controlled openings to improve access to neighborhoods and service areas.
Work will also include repairs and upgrades to vehicular bridges, drainage improvements, LED street lighting, road signage, traffic lights, and new bus bays. The project further includes resurfacing the road, laying base materials, and adding a new hot asphalt concrete surface.
Accessibility is part of the design, with sidewalks, ramps for people with disabilities, and safer pedestrian crossings in school and community areas.
Why the Project Matters
Traffic pressure in Panama East has grown alongside urban expansion and housing development. ATTT traffic counts estimate that about 26,000 vehicles move each morning from Panama East, mainly from Pacora, Nuevo Tocumen and Cabra, into Panama City, with a similar volume returning in the afternoon.
Pacora alone has more than 70,200 residents, according to the 2023 national census, underscoring the scale of daily movement along this route. Improving this corridor could shorten commute times, improve road safety and reduce flooding problems during the rainy season.
Contracting Timeline
The public procurement process includes a pre-bid and clarification meeting on June 2, 2026, to be held virtually. Proposal submission and opening are scheduled for June 23 through the Panama Compra platform.
The contractor will have to include road maintenance for 36 calendar months in its offer. The contract itself will run for 1,885 calendar days after the order to proceed is issued.
The works will affect bridges over the Cabra River, Agua Mula River and La Guasa creek, along with drainage structures and box culverts designed to reduce runoff and flooding during the rainy season.