• Originally two ferries shuttled vehicles across the canal
  • 1942 – two swinging bridges with limited capacity added
  • 1962 – bridge built for the Pan-American Highway
  • United States initiated and funded the project, which cost US$20 million at the time
  • First named Thatcher Ferry Bridge in honour of the original ferry. It was renamed in 1962 to Bridge of the Americas, but this did not become official until 1979
  • Puente de las Américas in Spanish
  • The bridge is a cantilever design where the suspended span is a tied arch
  • It has a total length of 1,654m/5,425’ in 14 spans, abutment to abutment
  • The main span measures 344m/1,128’, and the tied arch (the center part of the main span) is 259m/850’
  • The highest point of the bridge is 117m/384’ above mean sea level
  • The clearance under the main span is 61.3m/201’ at high tide.

On May 18, 2010, the bulk cargo ship Atlantic Hero struck one of the protective bases of the bridge after losing engine power, partially blocking that section of the Canal to shipping traffic. The bridge did not receive damage and there were no fatalities.