By Craig J. Weincek

Panama Viejo, the ruins of the original Colonial city is to be "saved" if a bold and comprehensive plan put forward by the Panama Viejo "Patronato" can be implemented. According to Julieta Arango, the Executive Director of the Patronato, the main idea is to eliminate any traffic from passing directly through the park that contains the ruins of the original site of Panama's capital.

If everything goes according to the existing proposal, Avenida Cincuentenario will be closed off at Avenida Ernesto T. Lefevre and diverted around the community also known as Panama Viejo. Instead of a highly congested two-lane road winding among the ruins of the historic site, there will be a four-lane thoroughfare sweeping up along the Jardin de Paz and connecting back to the existing right-of-way at Puente del Rey.

This new traffic pattern will allow the World Heritage Site to be turned into a pristine park, spread over 28 hectares, that will allow visitors, both tourists and citizens, interested in history to explore the ruins in a tranquil setting.

"We are simply trying to save Panama Viejo," Ms. Arango explained from behind her desk in the park's administrative offices adjacent to the modern museum directly next to the busy avenue. She added: "You cannot understand or appreciate the place with 60,000 vehicles passing through the middle of it every day. There is too much traffic, pollution and noise. It is also dangerous for visitors who have to cross the road to enjoy many of the old stone ruins". As we spoke, lines of school children could be seen marching along both sides of the roadway.

Avenida Cincuentenario, which runs along the shoreline in some places, is also said to be collapsing under the weight of heavy traffic following the only route to the south side of the city. Ms. Arango suggests that the wider road would help alleviate congestion and expedite travel, while bypassing the oldest part of Panama.

The main concern is that any change in the traffic pattern, especially a much wider road, would mean that some people will have to be displaced and sections of the neighborhood would be disrupted. Even though the exact path of the broader avenue is still under discussion, it is clear that any new right-of-way will have to go through some, if not many, existing homes and businesses.

The old one-story artisan center, which is located in the shadow of the cathedral tower, will also be torn down and relocated to a new facility near the museum and office complex.

According to representatives of the Department of Urban Development, this plan is in the early stages and a feasibility study is underway, with a possible target date of 2009.

Author's note: For a unique sweeping perspective of Panama City, climb up to the top of the cathedral tower, that still stands since the pirate Henry Morgan razed the town way back in 1671, and look across to the sparkling skyscrapers of today's modern metropolis and wonder at all the history in between.