By rosebell
TBM Panama has completed excavation of the first bored tunnel beneath the Panama Canal for Metro de Panamá’s Line 3 project. The machine broke through at Albrook on Monday, completing its 4.5km drive from Farfán.
The 13.5m-diameter Herrenknecht Mixshield TBM was launched in September 2024. It excavated beneath the canal at depths of up to 65m below sea level, navigating complex geological conditions and high groundwater pressure.
The tunnelling works, carried out by HPH — a consortium comprising Hyundai Engineering & Construction, POSCO Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Engineering — were subject to strict requirements to ensure that the canal remained fully operational throughout construction.
During the drive, the TBM excavated approximately 700,000m³ of rock and soil and installed 2,295 concrete lining rings, each consisting of nine segments. Its peak monthly advance rate reached 300m.
According to Herrenknecht, the machine’s performance was supported by an accessible cutterhead design that enabled cutting-tool changes under atmospheric pressure.
Line 3 construction progresses
The new tunnel will connect at Albrook with the existing Metro Line 1. Line 3 is designed to link Panama City’s western suburbs with the city centre and is now approximately 82% complete.
The line is expected to open to passengers in 2028.
The breakthrough ceremony was attended by Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, and Metro de Panamá Director-General César Pinzón.
