When the United States completed construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, it had taken American and French companies 34 years and a fortune in treasure and blood – more than 27,000 workers had died primarily from malaria and yellow fever. The monumental canal project has been an engineering feat likened to the eighth wonder of the world. On Oct. 22, the Panamanian people will vote in a special plebiscite regarding an equally staggering project: widening the Panama Canal to allow for large container ships.