MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Teams of assessors accompanied by soldiers and police have begun surveying properties along the route of Nicaragua’s planned interoceanic canal, taking quick steps toward the start of a vast project the country has dreamed of for more than a century.

But the process is alarming many residents, who say they fear they’ll lose their homes and receive unfair compensation.

Recommended Stories

Instead of a Wall, Build a Canal

Trump calls for free passage for all US ships through Panama and Suez canals

China opens $10 billion shipping canal to Southeast Asia in landmark win for Belt and Road Initiative