The French consortium offered the lowest price out of the three pre-qualified candidates, less than the $386 million from Tradeco Acciona and the $429 million from Hyundai Odebrecth.

The figure offered by the French consortium is below the official budget, said the Panama Canal Authority in a press release.

The design of the bridge, located on the Atlantic side of the Canal, is inspired by similar works from countries such as Spain, Korea, France, China and Japan.

The plan is to make a double delta bracing bridge in an inverted "Y" shape, with four lanes. Its length is 4.6 kilometers including its viaducts and the elevation is 75 meters above sea level. Its construction is entirely of concrete.

Source: Panama Canal Authority

More on this topic

Work Begins on Third Canal Bridge

January 2013

The company Vinci Construction Grands Projets received orders from the Panama Canal Authority to proceed with the works for the construction of the bridge over the Canal.

The company, who won the tender last October, must complete the works within a period not exceeding 42 months.

Three Pre-Qualified to Bid in Bridge Tender

April 2012

The Consortia Odebrecht - Hyundai Joint Venture, Acciona Infrastructures -Tradeco, and France's Vinci Construction Grands Projets, have been accepted by the ACP to take part in the tender for the construction of a bridge over the Canal in the Atlantic.

"Through a press release, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reported that the Spanish-Mexican consortium "Acciona Infrastructures-Tradeco" and the Brazilian-South Korean "Odebrecht-Hyundai joint venture" along with the French company "Vinci Construction Grands Projets" qualified following analysis of their technical criteria, experience and financial capacity", reported Panamaamerica.com.

Third Bridge Over Canal to be Tendered in August

March 2012

With 4 lanes, and measuring 4.6 kilometers long and 75 meters high, the bridge will cost about $280 million and its construction will take 32 months.

The tender for the third bridge, located on the Atlantic side, will take place in August, according to the outgoing administrator of the Panama Canal, Alberto Alemán Zubieta.

Three Groups Submit Bids to Build New Canal Bridge

March 2012

A company and two consortia have delivered the documentation to participate in the construction of a third bridge over the Panama Canal.

One group consists of Brazil’s Odebrecht and South Korea's Hyundai Joint Venture; another is composed of Spanish firm Acciona Infraestructuras and Mexico’s Tradeco. The third bidder is France's Vinci Construction Grands Projets, according to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).