Source: Panama Canal Commission, http://www.pancanal.com

Panama Canal: Gaillard Cut

A bulk carrier transits Gaillard Cut, the part of the Panama Canal that slices through the Continental Divide. Originally named Culebra (snake) Cut for the nature its curves, it was renamed for Col. David DuBose Gaillard, the engineer who supervised its construction. The Cut is approximately 12.8 kilometers long and, during the 1960's was widened from its original 91.5 meters to 152.4 meters. The currently ongoing Gaillard Cut widening program is widening it still further to increase safety and Canal Capacity and facilitate vessel transit scheduling.