The excavation of the canal had taken around 10 years of intensive labour, huge groundworks and all using what, by modern day standards, would be regarded as fairly rough and ready mechanical means and methods. The Panama Canal revolutionised trade between the Americas and particularly after the USA purchased the interests of the French Government and ran it as an economically viable and strategic asset.
The success of Panama heralded the shelving of the tentative but longstanding proposals of the Nicaraguan State to establish a strong rival operation. A cut through the Isthmus linking the Caribbean and Pacific had been considered in the early 19th Century colonial period under Napoleon III but many factors including the superiority of Panama much later meant that the ambitious plan did not materialise.
That was until December 14th this year (2014) when, under a concession for 50 years to a Hong Kong conglomerate, the initial infrastructure of roads was begun in readiness for an anticipated 6 year build of the Nicaraguan Interoceanic Canal.
The budgeted cost at between $40 billion and $50 billion was based on a shortlist of 6 proposed routes, each with issues of contention over the displacing of indigenous peoples and greater threats to the Environment and bio diversity of the region.
What was termed Route 4 was eventually chosen but with little consultation with those affected on the ground.
The total distance of 178 miles is three times that of the Panama Canal but is regarded as being less of a technical challenge through the use of an existing watercourse and then across the natural feature of Lake Nicaragua. The actual new build canal element across the Isthmus of Rivas is around 18km to 24km.
The economic viability is based on an increase in global shipping demand and that any constructed route will cut a distance of 800km off a sea-journey from New York to Los Angeles.
The Nicaraguan Government hope that the scheme will employ around 15,000 workers and with National growth projected to increase from 4.5% to 15%.
It is a bit of a gamble relying on the efficiency and technical proficiency of the Chinese to come in on time and budget so that an otherwise beleagured country can look to kick start a fragile economy.
There has been controversy over the awarding of the contract and the apparent lack of formal discussions with occupants of the landed areas on the route. Part of the selected route is through a UNESCO recognised National Reserve with a great bio diversity of 1400 plants species, 410 birds mostly migratory, sea turtles, mangrove swamps and a careful balance between salt water and freshwater sources.
Archaeological interests are also in the route zone with many ancient and sensitive sites in what is a rich cultural and heritage area.
Assurances have been obtained from the builders to minimise impact on the Environment including the use of bridges over swamps and barriers to keep brine and fresh water apart. The existing waterways will require extensive dredging to form a deepened navigable channel. Revolutionary sediment extraction techniques have been proposed to avoid any damage from explosives.
There are fears from action groups that the Chinese will seek to buy up land holdings along the route thereby denying the local population any prospect of ownership and a sustainable living. The passage of very large cargo ships through Lake Nicaragua is a matter of concern in case of spillage or accident affecting fish stocks and the ecological balance. The Lake itself is in the shadow of two Volcanoes, one of them being active sporadically.
The high hopes for National benefits for Nicaragua seem to have sidelined many of the broader issues that in other countries would demand a very long period of enquiry and consultation. It is apt that the ambitious scheme started in this month of December as it makes for a good Isthmus Story.
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