Which bridge across the Panama Canal was formerly called the Thatcher Ferry Bridge?

The Bridge of the Americas is the Panama Canal crossing formerly called the Thatcher Ferry Bridge.

The cantilever bridge opened in 1962 near the Pacific entrance to the canal, linking the outskirts of Panama City with the western side of the canal zone. Its original name honored the ferry service that carried vehicles across the canal before a permanent road bridge was built.

The bridge became an important part of the Pan-American Highway and provided a fixed connection between North and South America. It was the first permanent road crossing over the canal, although later crossings were added as traffic increased. The bridge’s steel structure was designed to accommodate both road traffic and the canal’s maritime operations below.

It is sometimes confused with Panama’s Centennial Bridge, which opened later in 2004 and lies farther inland. The Bridge of the Americas is also distinct from the Atlantic Bridge, opened in 2019 near the canal’s Caribbean entrance. Together, these crossings serve different parts of the canal route.