The expansion of Avenue Balboa is underway with the proceeds of the canal expansion being used to fill in some of the low tide parts of Panama Bay.
The plan is to widen Avenue Balboa to relieve some of the crushing traffic flow and to install a beautiful public park.
Panama is definitely a country in expansion mode and although the government is struggling to keep up with the rapid growth, they are doing a decent job with planning and implementation of public works. Every time I come back to the States from Panama, I have an even deeper respect for this wonderful central American country.
Here is a link to a map that fully describes the expansion.
What is the Panama Canal used for that is in the narrow part of North America
I cannot believe you just asked that @Nichole!, O_O . How EMBARASSING!
the Panama Canal is the only “shortcut” [for sea-travel/marine travel/maritime travel/ship travel/boat travel/ocean travel/you-get-the-idea] between the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans! O_O
it was built by AMERICANS (and the U.S. had a hand in administrating it also, until it was fully “turned over” to Panamanian hands on 12:00 mid-day of December 31, 1999).