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On The Subject of China Building a Rail Link From Panama City to Chiriquí


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OPINION: Trains vs water, health, education

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pipedream or reality?
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At the beginning of  November, the feasibility study on the railway project that would unite the city of Panama with the one of David will be delivered. The idea is that a passenger and cargo train traveling at 160 kilometers per hour will cover the 450 kilometers between the two points in less than 3 hours. This project must be considered with the criteria of a State initiative, which transcends the presidential term of a government, and, therefore, must be analyzed very carefully. Currently, Line 1 of the Panama Metro has required $40 million in subsidies to operate in recent years. How much would the subsidy for the Panama-David train be? There are multiple national priorities, such as drinking water, education, health, social security, and others, which could well use the funds that would be used to build this railway, which could cost as much or more than the expansion of the Canal China is developing a high-port super port in El Salvador, presumably to facilitate the movement of Central American cargo. A railway project of the magnitude for Panama is a commitment of several generations. Let’s act with wisdom. – LA PRENSA, Sep 21
 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/opinion-trains-vs-water-health-education

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Panama-David high speed train feasibility study near finish

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Ambassador Wei Qiang.
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The feasibility study for the possible construction of a railway line connecting Panama and David,  in Chiriqui province, is “basically finished,” said Chinese ambassador Wei Qiang. In a press conference on Friday, November 23.

The ambassador said that the technical team is preparing the final report. The study has been done with non-reimbursable cooperation funds from China, at the request of the Government of Panama.

“When the Government raised the possibility of building a railway, the Chinese side considered that in the case of a large infrastructure project a serious feasibility study had to be previously carried out,” Qiang said.

The decision to build or not build the railway will depend on the Government of Panama.

The agreement signed between both countries would be for the possible construction of a passenger and cargo train ith a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It would take two hours and 30 minutes to get to David and an hour and 30 minutes to Santiago, in  Veraguas.
 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-david-high-speed-train-feasibility-study-near-finish

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to On The Subject of China Building a Rail Link From Panama City to Chiriquí
  • 3 months later...
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High speed Chiriqui rail link feasibility study

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The first plans on paper

Posted 03/03/2019
 
Engineers from the Chinese company CRDC have presented the preliminary results of the feasibility study for the construction of a Panama-Chiriqui high speed rail link said President, Juan Carlos Varela on Friday, March 1.

"The final results of will soon be delivered by the Government of the People's Republic of China," the president said. The study has been done with non-reimbursable cooperation funds from China, at the request of the government of Panama.

"Regarding the proposal of the Government of Panama to build a railway, the Chinese side considered that in the case of a large infrastructural issue, a serious feasibility study had to be carried out beforehand," said  Chinese ambassador to Panama Wei Qiang in November.

He said that the decision to build or not the railroad will depend on the Government of Panama.

The agreement signed between the two countries would be for the possible construction of a transport and cargo train with a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. It would take two hours and 30 minutes to get to David and an hour and 30 minutes to Santiago, in Veraguas province.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/high-speed-chiriqui-rail-link-feasibility-study-1

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David rail link first phase $4.1 billion

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Posted 15/03/2019
 
The fisrt phase construction of a rail link from Panama to David, Chiriquí, will cost about $4,1 billion and would take approximately six years says aa. The figures are contained in the feasibility study presented to President Juan Carlos Varela on Friday, March 15.by at noon by the China Railway Design Corporation. Phase one would be from Arriajan to David

The cost of the project is lower than that for the construction of the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal and the third line of Panama Metro and will generate 6,000 jobs during construction and another 2,000 for the operation and maintenance of the system carrying passengers and cargo reports La Estrella.

The 160 kilometers per hour train would take last about two and a half hours to travel from Panama to David, although depending on the number of stops.

The feasibility study was carried out with non-reimbursable funds from the government of China as part of agreements reached, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations in 2016.

The photo-op delivery was made at the International Fair of David attended by the Ambassador of China in Panama, Wei Quiang.

President Varela said that the possibility of building the railway system represents an "important contribution" to the geographic and commercial integration of the country's productive region to the capital city by decreasing time and cost.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/david-rail-link-first-phase-41-billion-1

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Train project exudes multi-billion smoke

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Possible Panama-David train stations

Posted 16/03/2019
 
The Panama-David train has been surrounded by suspicious ambiguities. Although only three months ago our highest authorities denied that it had been decided to build the railway project, Yesterday the President of the Republic announced, as a fact, that its construction would cost $4,1 billion, which contrasts with the project of the expansion of the Canal that, with similar figures, was explained to its users and the country and long debated for months, before being submitted to a referendum.

 In addition, the feasibility study that supports the cost of this train was financed by the Government of the People's Republic of China, owner of companies with a more than likely interest in developing the project. Is not a conflict of interest evident? Have we not learned anything from the mistakes we have made with Odebrecht? Or maybe, Could it be that we learned a lot? Apparently, President Juan Carlos Varela has not realized that his government already leaves him at least $4,4 billion million in "turnkey" projects to the next administration. If you were to add the Panama-David train, it would be more than $8.5 billion in legacy obligations. What is the trouble? An ounce of caution can prevent tons of problems and scandals – LA PRENSA, Mar. 16.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/train-project-exudes-multi-billion-smoke

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Panama-David Train: A $4.1 Billion Project

The rail transport system that would cover a 390 km distance and whose construction would last six years, contemplates in the future a possible expansion towards the border with Costa Rica.

Monday, March 18, 2019

China Railway Design Corporation worked with several Panamanian companies that supported the economic, geotechnical, soil, capacity and demand analyses of the Panama-David train feasibility study.

Engineer Oscar Ramirez, president of the High Level Commission named by President Varela to coordinate the study, explained that "... the proposal is to build an 8-car passenger and freight train line, with capacity for about 750 passengers, with 21 stops on a 391.3 kilometer stretch, which would cross by land, tunnels, and bridges the provinces of Panama, Cocle, Herrera Veraguas, and Chiriqui."

The train would reach 160 kilometers per hour for passengers and 80 kilometers per hour for the freight train, resulting in an estimated travel time between Panama and the city of David of 2.5 hours. It is estimated that the construction stage of this mega infrastructure work would last 6 years, in which up to 6,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created, while for the operation and maintenance will require about 2,900 people, explains a statement from the Presidency of Panama.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said that "... The system would provide a much more efficient passenger mobility system and unprecedented integration in the country and will enhance the country's logistics platform by strengthening our logistical, air, maritime and financial connectivity with the region."

Varela added that "... the study contemplated a possible expansion to Costa Rica in the future, which would complement the Central American economies and facilitate the commercialization of products among our countries, which have great logistical challenges."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/PanamaDavid_Train_A_41_Billion_Project

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Varela’s high  speed  dream train to Chiriqui nixed

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Chinese President Xi and Varela

Posted 06/09/2019

The high speed train linking  Panama to Chiriquí, the dream project of former president Juan Carlos Varela during his honeymoon dance with China is not in the plans of the administration of President Laurentino Cortizo he said on Friday, September 6.

The project had been criticized as not a priority with so many other needs waiting on the sidelines.

Cortizo said that there would be other projects such as the connection of the Cinta Costera and the Amador Convention Center, the connection of the province of Veraguas (Arena, Mariato) to the province of Los Santos and the extension of the Panama-Colón highway towards María Chiquita.

Varela had presented, a feasibility study to build the train between the cities of Panama and David. " The project is economically feasible because of the social profitability it represents," he said on March 15.

The feasibility study was part of the non-reimbursable cooperation projects between Panama and China.

For 15 months, Chinese experts worked together with a high-level commission to specify the analysis of the soils, economic impact, logistic studies, routes and strategic locations for the stations.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/varelas-high-speed-dream-train-to-chiriqui-nixed

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2 hours ago, Moderator_02 said:

Varela had presented, a feasibility study to build the train between the cities of Panama and David. " The project is economically feasible because of the social profitability it represents"

Have no idea what "social profitability" means but at least this transport-fantasy has finally come to an end.

Now can we dispense with the 'Baru Cable Car' delusion soon?

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Now can we dispense with the 'Baru Cable Car' delusion soon?

This is the Mayor's email address, available for anyone who didn't get a chance to express their opinion about the proposal at the Public Meeting which was convened for that purpose.

alcaldiadeboquete@gmail.com

Edited by Moderator_02
converted email address into hot link
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