After the Panama Canal was built, it was necessary to design some method of transportation to connect Panama City with the rest of the country. During the early years of the canal, this necessity was not urgent, but as the traffic between the capital city and the countryside increased, it was imperative to come up with a solution.
For a while the solution was to ferry the people and vehicles across the canal through large ferries purchased by the Panama Canal Commission. The Panama Canal Mechanical Division addressed issue this in August 1931, with the commissioning of two new ferries, the Presidente Amador and President Washington. This service was expanded in August 1940, with additional barges mainly serving the military.
Later, on June 3, 1942, a road/rail swing bridge was inaugurated at the Miraflores locks; although only usable when no ships were passing, this provided some relief for traffic wishing to cross the canal. Still, it was clear that a more substantial solution would be required. To meet the growing needs of vehicle traffic, another ferry, the Presidente Porras, was added in November 1942. The ferries operated until 1962 when the Bridge of the Americas was opened.
On October 1962, the Bridge of the Americas (Thatcher Ferry Bridge) was inaugurated. This was the final solution to the traffic bottleneck to the countryside. Another bridge, the Centennial Bridge, was built in 2004 to decrease the traffic congestion of the Bridge of the Americas. A few decades from now, I’m afraid another bridge or tunnel will have to be built as the population of Panama increases. That’s the cycle of progress.
With an elevation of 384 feet and width of 34 feet, the Bridge of the Americas connects the two land masses separated due to the construction of the Panama Canal. Built by the United States, at a cost of $20 million dollars, the Bridge of the Americas now forms an integral part of the Interamerican Highway, connecting both North and South America.
The main characteristics of this spectacular bridge are:
- Carries: Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
- Crosses: Pacific approach to the Panama Canal
- Locale: Balboa, Panama
- Design: Steel truss cantilever bridge with a tied arch suspended span
- Total length: 5,425 feet
- Width: 34 feet
- Longest span: 1,128 feet
- Clearance below: 201 feet at high tide.
- Opening date: October 12, 1962.
The Bridge of the Americas is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Panama. Let’s take a look at another series of photographs of this mighty steel truss cantilever bridge. Here we go.
Photograph of the Bridge of the Americas taken from a nearby rest stop/look out station. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Another view of the cantilever bridge built above the Panama Canal on the Pacific Side. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Photograph of the concrete and iron mass of the Bridge of the Americas inaugurated on October 12, 1962. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
View of the highest point of the bridge where the tied arch suspended span has a clearance of 201 feet at high tide above the canal. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
In this photograph you can clearly see the suspension cables which hold the traffic deck of the bridge. (Credit: Omar Upegui R.)
Even though the Centennial Bridge is an excellent connection to reach the countryside, I still think this bridge is the most impressive and iconic structure in the country. Stay tuned to this site to find more photographs of this formidable bridge. Good Day.
