Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico

[jamie]

Before the Panama canal shipping used to go through Mexico via the isthmus of tehuantepec. The Panama canal was deeper and wider hence could take on bigger ships.

The Chinese are planning to build a canal even larger than the Panama canal in Nicaragua. This would result in the largest ships using the Chinese canal and probably many of the other ships presently using the Panama canal to shift to the Chinese canal.

Why don't we spearhead a project to build an even larger canal in Mexico through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The cost would be comparable to the one the Chinese propose to build. We could do it quicker and better. I would think that there would be other countries willing to help bear the cost for a canal through Mexico. Since it would be closer to the U.S. more ships would be inclined to use it. It certainly would increase employment in Mexico in the short and long term. Many Mexicans would be returning to Mexico to work on the project. It gives us more negotiating power in the use of any of the canals.

I think it would be a good idea to spearhead such a project.

[rule62]

Regardless who funds it, the contractor would probably be the same. Probably someone in the top 5 listed by ENR.

[jamie]

Jun 7, 2013 9:17:37 GMT -5 rule62 said:

Regardless who funds it, the contractor would probably be the same. Probably someone in the top 5 listed by ENR.

You are probably correct. The funders would no doubt insist on it.

The USA could have bought this particular swath of land for 15 million back during the 1850's.

During the 20'th century one of our presidents ceded any and all rights we had concerning the route the Chinese propose to build on in Nicaragua. No one asked him to he just decided to do it.