Panama Oeste drivers urge acceleration of Arraiján-La Chorrera highway expansion

Residents and drivers in Panama Oeste have welcomed the Ministry of Public Works' announcement to expand the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway to eight lanes and the Mariano Rivera avenue in La Chorrera to four lanes. The long-awaited project aims to address the severe daily traffic jams that plague the region, often trapping commuters for hours on their way to work or home.

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It would be good because there are many neighborhoods here, and most people have cars, and there's always heavy traffic during peak hours.

For the province's residents, the highway expansion is not just a matter of convenience but an urgent necessity. Daily gridlock significantly impacts not only commuters but also emergency response times, as ambulances and other critical vehicles frequently get stuck in congestion. "It would be good because there are many neighborhoods here, and most people have cars, and there's always heavy traffic during peak hours," said Kaydi Abrams, a resident of Panama Oeste, highlighting the growing population and car ownership in the area.

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It's necessary because in the West, when people go to work in the city. It helps us a lot. The traffic jam is our daily life.

Amir Caballero echoed this sentiment, stating that traffic congestion is a daily reality for those commuting to the capital. "It's necessary because in the West, when people go to work in the city. It helps us a lot. The traffic jam is our daily life," he expressed. Another driver, Javier Cruz, summarized the widespread feeling: "It would be a good point because this is a 24/7 traffic jam." The Ministry of Public Works confirmed that the highway expansion is a top priority, alongside improvements to the Centenario and Mariano Rivera avenues. The plan also includes rehabilitating key overpasses on the highway, mirroring the expansion model used for the bridge leading to Vacamonte.

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It would be a good point because this is a 24/7 traffic jam.