The Panama Canal is often referred to as the world's eighth wonder, and it is truly an awe inspiring site to behold. An engineering marvel even by today's standards, construction began in 1904 and took 250,000 people and more than 10 years to build. The Panama Canal Authority's (ACP) proposal to expand the Panama Canal is one step closer to becoming reality. On July 14, 2006, Panama's National Assembly unanimously approved the proposal to expand the Panama Canal.  The Panama Canal expansion would be the largest project at the Canal since its original construction. The project would double the waterway's capacity and allow more traffic by creating a new lane through the construction of a new set of locks. An expanded Canal would benefit the people of Panama and world trade, and help maximize Panama's strategic location to become the great maritime hub of the Americas.