The Panama Canal is currently undergoing a $5.2 billion transformation to add a third set of locks to accommodate larger transit vessels. This course will first present the history of the existing Panama Canal, how it was selected over other competing locations and the first attempt at its construction by the French. Next, the course will review the site and its geology and the American effort to design and construct the existing canal consisting of two sets of adjacent locks at three locations throughout Panama.

 

Following this, the course will present how upgrades to the canal were performed to maintain its viability over the past 100 years and the canal's impact on global transportation of goods and materials. The current expansion project scope and design basis will be presented along with the program execution plan and contractor selection.

 

Finally, the course will provide the recent project status including problems and issues encountered during construction and the current progress and projected completion. This course includes several graphics and photographs that provide a good depiction of one of the largest construction project ever undertaken.

The student will learn about design and construction of the existing Panama Canal.
 

The student will gain an understanding of the need for an expanded and larger canal.

 

The student will learn about the design attributes of the current Panama Canal expansion program which includes a new third set of locks.

 

The student will gain an understanding of the current status of the project from an actual onsite program to establish progress earlier this year.

 

The student with learn when this project is scheduled to be completed and some of the problems and issues that the project has encountered.