The consortium in charge of the expansion of the Panama Canal, led by Sacyr reported that the fissures presented in the third set of locks will not delay the opening date scheduled for April 2016.
The Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC), comprising the Sacyr Spanish and Italian Salini Impregilo, informed Autoridfad Panama Canal (ACP), the authority that manages the waterway, that is repairing the gaps in the walls of the locks caused by lack of steel reinforcement, and ensure other structures preventively.
"Cracks were detected in one of the walls," said a spokeswoman for the Spanish construction group Sacyr, lead member of the Grupo Unidos Por el Canal consortium responsible for the expansion project.
The fissures were found on the canal's Pacific Locks, the spokeswoman added. "We are working on its resolution."
In a statement Wednesday from Panama City, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that it had received information from GUPC as "localized leaks were due to the lack of steel reinforcements in part subject to conditions in extreme stress tests. "
According to the ACP, she said GUPC strengthen not only the flange with cracks but also others that are intact "as a precaution".
The overall expansion project of the Panama Canal began in 2007 with a budget of 5,250 million dollars, and registered an increase of 93%, according to the ACP.