As part of the serious steps forward made in Panama’s infrastructure, the Cinta Costera is a symbol of what Panama has done right so far. Gently landscaped to help block noise and visual pollution, designed to ease the flow of traffic and pedestrians, and increase the functionality of the available space on Panama’s seafront, the waterfront thoroughfare is a big win for Panama. The new development divides the city’s skyscrapers and urban neighborhoods from the Pacific Ocean, creating a useful space – a massive siphon for vehicles and leisure activities alike.
A Step Forward for Panama’s Cinta Costera
With the unveiling of the Cinta Costera’s 3rd Phase (referred to as Cinta Costera 3) the project is approaching a new level of practicality for residents of a city previously benighted by awful traffic problems. Beginning near Panama City’s famous Seafood Market on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Casco Viejo, the development consists of two major parts. Part 1 is the marine viaduct running around the old town, forming a narrow band suspended above the water. This has been installed to alleviate congestion in central districts such as Marbella, San Francisco, and Paitilla, by making it easier to head westwards out of Panama City.
Part 2 is a series of easily-navigable roundabouts and traffic friendly improvements to the previously 4 lane road to Casco Viejo. A number of improvements have been made to ease traffic flow and ensure that vehicles entering or leaving the Seafood Market no longer cause delays. Alongside this improvement in traffic flow has come the final meeting of design elements for pedestrians, with soccer courts, grassy areas, exercise equipment, and uninterrupted sea views. The quality of the finishing in these areas has left many surprised, with a high quality and durable environment available for residents and tourists. The addition of space for outdoor events in the Parque Centenario has already been utilized by a number of festivals and NGOs.
The Mar Turistica
A tourist-friendly area has also been announced under the name of the “mar turistica” or “tourist sea” – a beach designed to help showcase the thriving seafront stretching from Costa del Este all the way to Casco Viejo, with a breakwater serving as the platform for a two storey restaurant, sports field, buildings, bike lanes, and a cobbled central square for events. The secondary function of this area will also be to monitor tides and environmental fluctuations, helping to ensure that the constructors have fulfilled their promise to create an environmentally stable work on Panama’s seafront.
Easing Traffic in Panama
Essentially, the overarching purpose of this work is to ease congestion in Amador and surrounding areas, with the Avenida de Los Martires a frequent site of fume-wracked congestion. With this in mind, the final cost of the project has increased to $780 million, roughly $6-8 million dollars more than quoted. The government is happy that the funds have generated such a sterling piece of public infrastructure and are looking forward to the next phase of the development.
The Next Phase of The Cinta Costera: Chorillo and Amador
The next phase of the Cinta Costera will involve Chorillo and the Amador Causeway, with the former long a cause for social and economic concern among Panamanians and observers. The vast amount of labor required for the project is already expected to see jobs flow into the local area, with Chorillo expecting to particularly benefit. The urban space planned will involve some infilling of land to create a broader platform for development, the planting of hundreds of trees, and the opening up of new commercial and residential spaces. This has been designed to breathe life into an economically stagnant area with the vitality associated with the other portions of the Cinta Costera, both in terms of aesthetic appeal and also with its practical improvements to roads and pedestrian walkways. Click here to see a infographic of the new cinta costera
