Panama Metro Line 1

Designed to address increasing traffic congestion in the city, Panama Metro Line One is the first metro system ever built in Central America.  

The 15.7-kilometer-long project included close to 7 kilometers of tunnel, 8.7 kilometers of viaduct, and 18 stations, six of which are constructed above ground.  

TYLin was responsible for the elevated portion of the project design, including the viaduct and five of the six elevated stations.  

The design of the viaduct portion is a twin “U” girder concept. There are three track switches for operations mounted on piers, with spans between 20 and 30 meters depending on geometry and alignment.  

The southernmost elevated station (12 de Octubre) is the first above-ground station located north of the transition from the underground portion of the line. The 90-meter station is supported by two rows of primary support columns, with 30-meter spans carrying the viaducts and trams and covering provided by a 108-meter-long canopy. 

The station comprises a ground-floor technical support level, a second-level ticketing vestibule, an elevated crosswalk, operations and support offices, and third-level passenger platforms for boarding northbound and southbound trains.  

The remaining five 90-meter stations (Pueblo Nuevo, San Miguelito, Pan de Azucar, Los Andes, and San Isidro) are similar in design. They typically include a ground-floor technical support level, a second-level ticketing vestibule with operations and support offices, and third-level passenger platforms for boarding trains.

Project Highlights: 

• TYLin’s design services included seismic, structural, geotechnical analysis, civil, architectural, electrical, and mechanical engineering, as well as interface/systems integration and coordination. 
• The design of the Panama Metro Line One stations included air conditioning systems, video surveillance, passenger information systems, wheelchair accessibility (including lifts), fire-safety systems, and electronic ticketing systems.