Panama set to begin $5 billion canal expansion
BBC News [UK]Posted: September 4th, 2007 by Thomas L. Knapp
“Panama has started work on a $5bn (£2.4bn) building project to widen the Panama Canal to increase its capacity. … Panamanians overwhelmingly backed the plan in a referendum held in 2006. Many tankers are now too large for the 50-mile (80km) route and supporters say the modernisation is vital to maintain trade and will create 7,000 jobs. But opponents have attacked the project, due to be completed by 2014, arguing that it will damage the environment and widen the gap between rich and poor in the country.” (09/04/07)
