Photo of the Week

I started working on this mini presentation a few weeks ago when my brother sent me the photo above. This was the culvert or overpass that was constructed for the Panama Railroad when Canal Zone Government built the Madden Dam Road. Photo vintage 1930. We used to always blow the car's horn when going under it. I am sure every Zonian has been under this overpass. I wish I had a dollar for every time I went under, twice a day, everyday when living in Gamboa and working in town.

Below are some street view captures from Google Earth showing what it looks like today. Pretty beat-up from trucks that were too high hitting it. I remember the time some guy drove his 18 wheel under, with a shipping container on the trailer that exceeded the height and hit. The shipping container was ripped off the trailer and landed on the roadway. Shut the road down for a few hours. This structure was built so strong that it has lasted all these years of abuse.

Long live the golden years of the Canal Zone.