Atlantic side Lock trench

This is the trench cut for the locks on the Atlantic or Caribbean side of the canal. It's hard to describe the scale of this and how small you feel when you enter the cut itself. Progress on this side of the canal has been faster than the Pacific side since the earth is much finer and softer, almost like a hard sand. When it rains it becomes slippery and the larger Caterpillar trucks have a hard time with it since they are two wheel drive. They have to use smaller 4-wheel drive Volvo trucks which are articulated and have better traction.