Project Context
This project involved the replacement of critically deteriorated rigid pavement slabs on the Corredor Norte, one of Panama City’s main high-traffic highway corridors.
The intervention required restoring structural capacity while maintaining operational continuity, demanding precise sequencing, disciplined execution, and rigorous quality control.
Our participation was as a subcontractor, responsible for project management and on-site execution of key construction scopes, working in coordination with the main contractor and highway operator.
Scope of Intervention
The works focused on the repositioning of reinforced concrete pavement slabs, replacing failed sections with a new high-performance rigid pavement system designed for early strength gain and rapid reopening to traffic.
The intervention included:
- Demolition and removal of existing damaged concrete slabs
- Preparation and stabilization of the pavement support layers
- Placement of reinforcement and joint systems
- Casting of high-early-strength concrete pavement slabs
- Joint sealing and final surface restoration
All activities were executed in compliance with national highway criteria and under continuous inspection and laboratory testing protocols.
Pavement Structure & Materials Logic
The pavement system was designed as a multi-layer rigid structure, optimized for durability and fast-track execution:
Concrete Pavement Slab
Reinforced concrete slab, designed to achieve 100% flexural strength at 72 hours, allowing early reopening of the roadway.Base Layer
Structural flowable fill providing uniform support and load distribution beneath the slab.Subbase Layer
Existing material stabilized with cement, processed and compacted to meet specified density and performance criteria.Reinforcement & Joints
Steel dowel bars and joint systems installed to control cracking, transfer loads, and ensure long-term pavement performance.
This system balances structural capacity, constructability, and operational constraints, making it suitable for high-volume urban highways.
Execution & Management Role
As subcontractor, our role combined technical execution with field-level project management, including:
- Coordination of demolition, concrete works, and reinforcement placement
- On-site sequencing and control of construction activities
- Supervision of quality control procedures and laboratory testing
- Compliance with safety, traffic management, and environmental requirements
- Coordination with inspection teams and highway operator representatives
The focus was not only on building correctly, but on building predictably, minimizing risk, rework, and disruption.
Outcome
The project delivered a structurally sound pavement replacement aligned with performance specifications, executed under live traffic conditions and strict operational constraints.
The result was a durable, high-quality intervention that restored serviceability while reinforcing confidence in controlled, fast-track concrete pavement rehabilitation.
