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ARI (Interoceanic Region Authority)

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New access road to Albrook Mall and National Transport Center (parallel to the airstrip) from the intersection at the former Curundu Middle School to the end/start of North Corridor toll road) was constructed as an ARI project and another access road was constructed connecting the North Corridor toll road to the National Transport Terminal.

Construction of the Albrook-Balboa overpass and access/exit ramps for vehicle traffic connecting Balboa (beginning near the former Balboa train station), Gaillard Highway, Albrook Mall, the National Transport Terminal, and the North Corridor toll road was completed mid-2004 but not allowed to be opened for traffic in mid-2006 due to problems. The interchange was constructed on what decades earlier (when Albrook Field -- later Albrook Air Force Base/Station -- was first constructed) had been part of a mangrove swamp.  For details on the problems, see The Panama News at http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_10/issue_18/business_03.html .  Motorists -- especially newcomers to this area -- should proceed with caution when transiting through this maze of intersections (with no traffic lights). 

One section of the overpass and access/exit ramps

 connecting Balboa, Gaillard Highway, Albrook Mall, the National Transport Terminal,

 and the North Corridor toll road

Panama Canal Plaza shopping center (featuring El Rey supermarket and a few other stores and offices) was constructed in 2003-2004 near the Albrook front gate (on left side when entering from Gaillard Highway).  The Panamanian National Maritime Authority has contracted offices in 2006 in this shopping center for its staff while its building (older framed structure) in nearby Diablo is undergoing renovation.  

A small shopping center was constructed on Canfield Avenue on the vacant site of what used to be years ago the Albrook NCO Club next to building 865 ( long ago an Air Force dispensary, later the Field Office to the Army Criminal Investigation Division-CID; now the Supreme Courts of the Americas) and across Canfield Avenue from the chapel parking lot.  In the center are Arrocha Pharmacy (part of the Arrocha chain in Panama Cit), Mail Boxes Etc, small restaurant, bank, and other stores.

Village Apartments Complex planned for Albrook

[Photos from Inversiones Natasha website]

More photos of this project can be found at http://www.inversionesnatasha.com/main1.php?idioma=es .

Albrook Park Apartments complex was constructed on the site of the Albrook Officer Guest Quarters (buildings 19 and 21 on Evans Street) which were demolished to make room for the new project after Albrook was transferred to Panama in 1997. The residendial complex consists of 144 apartments in seven 4-floor (plus ground floor) towers; first phase of construction was completed 2003 ($6 million investment).

New Russian Embassy complex will be constructed at Albrook on a 14,806-square meter lot (currently undeveloped land) on Minter Avenue between Canfield Avenue and Building 861(Saint Mary’s Academy) on same side as 861. The Russian Federation signed in December 2002 a contract with ARI for the purchase of that tract of land for $1,184,485. (Construction not started as of October 2006.  Russian officials did indicate they intend to continue with the project, as reported in Panamanian new media earlier in 2006, although no details were given.  Again in early 2008 Russian Embassy officials were quoted as saying would be constructed.)