Inter-modal Research Paper / Attn Colleen

TLMT 331

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Impact of Panama Canal Expansion on the U.S. Intermodal System

The free trade world would have seen nothing like it since a lowly truck driver from North Carolina first revolutionized shipping. “The American Society of Civil Engineers named the Panama Canal one of the seven wonders of the modern world” (Ernsberger, 2014).The Panama Canal completed in 1914 serves as a literal bridge between continents. Its purpose was simple; eliminate the journey around South America by reducing the path traveled between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The 48 mile long man-made canal provides a vital role for global commerce. At the continued rise of global trade and with Canal capacities met, In 2007 Panama began a massive multi-billion dollar construction project to expand the canal. Expected to be complete late 2015 and open for passage early 2016 the Panama Canal is anticipated to once again have a large impact on the U.S. intermodal system.

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