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# Panama Halts Most Fourth Bridge Work
- URL: https://balboa.news/panama-halts-most-fourth-bridge-work/
- Published: 2026-09-26T15:27:51.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-26T15:27:51.000Z
- Author: Balboa News Desk
- Tags: National

Panama’s Labor Ministry has temporarily halted most construction work on the Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal after a worker was injured in a fall and inspectors raised concerns about safety conditions.

The accident occurred on the night of September 24 in the Figali prefabrication area. According to the Panamá Cuarto Puente consortium, the worker fell approximately two metres from a work platform.

The consortium said the employee was wearing personal protective equipment and that emergency procedures were activated immediately. He received first aid before being taken to a medical center, where his condition was reported as stable and his injuries were described as not serious. Authorities and the company are investigating the cause.

Labor Minister Jackeline Muñoz announced the suspension on September 25 after meeting workers and company representatives at the site. She said approximately 90% of the project had been stopped because adequate protections could not yet be guaranteed.

The order covers work areas including Cerro Sosa, Figali and Veracruz, as well as the M3, M4 and M6 fronts. Muñoz said none of the affected fronts would reopen until the identified deficiencies had been corrected.

The Public Works Ministry instructed the consortium to implement the required changes. The company must then request another Labor Ministry inspection before construction can resume. No reopening date has been announced.

Muñoz said three fatalities and several other accidents have occurred during the project. Her statement did not provide details about all three deaths. In March 2026, a worker was killed after suffering an electrical discharge at the construction site.

The six-lane cable-stayed bridge is approximately 49% complete and employs more than 2,300 people across 30 work fronts. The project is being constructed by a consortium formed by China Communications Construction Company and China Harbour Engineering Company.

Its estimated cost, including additional interchange work, is approximately $2.387 billion. The government has projected completion in December 2028, but officials have not said whether the suspension will affect that schedule.

**Sources:** La Estrella