By rosebell
As the first to pass under the Panama Canal, the Panama Metro tunnel has successfully been tunnelled under this Canal by HPH consortium.
Being commissioned in September 2024, TBM Panama is a 13.5m-diameter Herrenknecht machine and broke through at the Balboa jobsite this month, whereas currently 1.5km of the new subway tunnel remain to be completed before the final breakthrough.
Linking the western suburbs and downtown Panama City, this tunnel is almost 4.5km and is the key structure of the new metro Line 3. With a daily capacity of 150,000 commuters, it is due to provide a rail alternative to the road bridge.Traffic congestion means the 25km journey can take several hours.
“For thousands of residents, this first section is a concrete sign that the promised future is approaching, with fast and safe mobility,” said Metro Panama director César Pinzón.
In order to ensuring the waterway remained operational, HPH, comprising Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Posco Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Engineering, had to adhere to strict specifications for tunneling under the Panama Canal. Being located over 60m below sea level, this tunnel was bored through complex geology with high groundwater pressure.
Advancing 300m and installing 150 segment rings, this mix shield TBM Panama achieved a peak monthly performance in October 2025.
