Balboa Ave. Expansion "Cinta Costera" To Be Inaugurated on 28 June 2009
By SHELMAR VÁSQUEZ SWEEN for La Prensa - The chief of the Special Projects office of the Ministry of Public Works, Carlos Ho, explained that the change in the date for the inauguration of the new "Cinta Costera" (Coastal Strip or expansion of Ave. Balboa) from 21 June to 28 June allows for some important details of the project to be completed. In addition he added that the inaugaration might be pushed back to 30 June, because the terms of the contract signed by the Odebrecht-Cusa partnership permit it. Ho clarified that the project, which is 99.1% completed, could begin to function lacking the completion of some "small" details, which are being registered in a document for the incoming administration to track. Some of the things not yet finished, for example, there are some sidewalks that have not been properly finished, and there are some walls remaining to be painted. “These subjects do not jeopardize the safety of traffic or pedestrians”, he said. (See Comments) Editor's Comment: Martin Torrijos wants his plaque. This important project, which has literally changed the face of Panama City, will bear the name of Martin Torrijos for all eternity. The companies building this project worked around the clock to get it done and they are practically there. No matter what, come hell or high water, the ribbon gets cut before 1 July 2009, you can count on that.
Ultiman detalles de cinta costera
SHELMAR VÁSQUEZ SWEEN svasquez@prensa.com
El jefe de Proyectos Especiales del Ministerio de Obras Públicas (MOP), Carlos Ho, explicó que el cambio en la fecha de apertura de la cinta costera y nueva vialidad –del 21 al 28 de junio– permite terminar completamente los detalles más importantes del proyecto.
Además, agregó que esta fecha pudiera extenderse hasta el 30 de junio, ya que los términos contractuales firmados con el consorcio Odebrecht-Cusa así lo permiten.
Ho aclaró que el proyecto, que marca un 99.1% de avance, podrá empezar a funcionar faltando algunas cosas “pequeñas”, las cuales quedarán registradas en un acta para que el próximo gobierno pueda darle seguimiento.
Los pendientes serían, por ejemplo, alguna acera sin el acabado adecuado o falta de pintura en algún muro. “Estos asuntos no deben comprometer la seguridad del tráfico ni de los peatones”, puntualizó.
