Canal expansion contracts.

CSA GROUP, a large Hispanic-owned engineering, architectural, and construction management firm based in Miami on Sept. 21 announced that it has been selected under the CH2M HILL program management team for the US$5.25 Billion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal. "We are privileged to be a part of this team and for the opportunity to assist the ACP in executing the Program Management function of the expansion of the Panama Canal," says Dr. JJ Suarez, P.E., Chairman and CEO of CSA Group:

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced on Aug. 15 it was awarding the Program Management contract to a group of experts under the team leadership of CH2M HILL, and comprised of: CSA Group, DHV Group, Grupo TYPSA and Earth Consultants International. Expansion of the Canal will primarily consist of the addition of a new lane of traffic to run parallel to the existing lanes currently linking the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans;

The project will also include the construction of a new set of locks on both ends of the expanded lanes, doubling the tonnage capacity of traffic and allowing the transit of much larger vessels such as the "Post Panamax" sized ships currently in operation around the world. Completion is expected for 2014, the 100th anniversary of the completion of the original canal. Details: Details: www.hispaniapartners.com, www.csagroup.com, www.pancanal.com