Panama awards fourth dry excavation contract in canal expansion

THE Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has awarded the fourth and final dry excavation contract (PAC-4) to complete the Pacific access channel to FCC-ICA-Meco, a Spanish, Mexican and Costa Rican joint venture.

This contract will help create an access channel linking the new Pacific locks with the Canal's existing Gaillard Cut, which is the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal. The PAC-4 represents the second largest contract and most complex project after developing a new set of locks for the Canal, a statement issued on behalf of the ACP said.

"Today marks another significant step forwards for the Expansion Programme and the ACP. Not only does this project represent the final contract for the Pacific access channel dry excavation, but it is also the last major Expansion Programme contract. We are proud to have reached such a pivotal point," said ACP executive vice president of Engineering and Programme Management Jorge Quijano.

"FCC-ICA-Meco is a consortium of seasoned, well-skilled and world-renowned professionals with great expertise in construction and engineering. We look forwards to partnering with them and appreciate the interest of all the competing firms."

The winning bid was chosen after the ACP released its request for proposals (RFP) for the excavation project on July 31, 2009. By the end of December, the ACP had received four bids for the contract. Following a comprehensive review, the ACP determined that the lowest bidder, FCC-ICA-Meco, met the requirements of the RFP and awarded the contract to this consortium, which is seeking US$267.8 million to carry out the project.

The scope of work will include 26 million cubic metres of unclassified excavation, the installation of a backfilled cellular cofferdam water barrier and the construction of an earth-rock filled dam that will create part of the access channel's eastern bank.

Other work under this contract includes the construction of access roads; management of disposal site areas for excavated or dredged material; installation of a dewatering system to remove surface and underground water; clearance of unexploded ordnances from former US military training facilities in the Canal area; and demolition work.

Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks which is intended to double capacity and allow passage to more traffic and longer, wider ships.

(Source: www.schednet.com)