Panama Metro Linea 2

In partnership with T.Y. Lin International, Volkert Global provided architecture and engineering design services for Line 2 of the Panama Metro for Consorcio Linea 2. The project consisted of a 21-kilometer-long viaduct with 16 elevated stations. TYLI’s scope of work included seismic, structural, geotechnical analysis, civil, architectural, electrical, mechanical, interface/systems integration and coordination services. Volkert provided structural and seismic design services for special and crossover structures.

The typical viaduct superstructure consists of twin “U” girder design with three track switches for operations mounted on piers with spans between 20 and 30 meters, depending on the geometry and alignment. Special structures and crossovers comprise AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Bulb Tee beams and cast-in-place deck on piers with spans between 25 and 35 meters.

There are two basic design types for the stations. The stations include a ground access level, a second level ticketing vestibule, an elevated crosswalk, operations/support offices and a third level of passenger platforms for boarding both north and south bound trams. The 94-meter station is supported by two rows of primary support columns with 30-meter spans carrying the viaducts and trams and is topped by a canopy.

Line 2 is designed to carry 40,000 passengers per hour with a minimum headway of 90 seconds.