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Panama Canal installs final lock in expansion project

Panama Canal Authority
The 16th and final gate is one of the heaviest—4,232 tons
A key milestone in the Panama Canal expansion was reached this week with the installation of the 16th and final gate for the new locks on the Pacific side of the Canal.

The installation began on the south end of the Canal's Pacific locks, which connect directly to the ocean. The final gate is one of the heaviest and weighs 4,232 tons. It measures 57.6 meters wide by 10 meters long and 33 meters high.

The Panama Canal expansion is now 87.6% complete. With all 16 gates installed, the next milestone will occur when the lock chambers are flooded.

The installation of all eight gates on the Atlantic side of the Canal was completed earlier this month, on April 1.