Press Releases 2004

August 16, 2004
Longest cable-stayed bridge in Latin America: Bilfinger Berger completes Puente Centenario over the Panama Canal

President Mireya Moscoso of the Republic of Panama was joined by her Colombian counterpart, President Alvaro Uribe, and a large number of other top-ranking political and business figures to mark the completion of the second bridge over the Panama Canal. The associated ceremonies and festivities on August 14 and August 15, 2004 coincided with the 90th anniversary of the canal's opening.

Bilfinger Berger, working with Australian subsidiary Baulderstone Hornibrook, needed only 27 months to erect the 1,050-meter-long Puente Centenario near Panama City. The longest cable-stayed bridge in Latin America, its pylons are each 180 meters high and the superstructure is 35 meters wide. After being connected to the local road network the Puente Centenario will relieve congestion on what had been the only bridge across the canal, while improving access to more remote areas of the country. The contract for the bridge, worth €110 million, was given by the Republic of Panama.

Technically demanding cable-stayed bridges are an important component of Bilfinger Berger's portfolio. Recent examples include the My Thuan Bridge over the Mekong River in Vietnam and its forerunner, the Anzac Bridge over Johnston's Bay in the Australian metropolis of Sydney.

Bilfinger Berger, one of the world's leading companies for major infrastructure projects, will continue implementing its strategy of targeted internationalization. The focus will remain on challenging infrastructure projects and on expansion of Bilfinger Berger's presence in regions where the company is already successfully represented.