The Pan-American Highway, originally envisioned as a motor-vehicle route from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, was driven by American optimism and a desire to boost automobile sales in South America. However, the dream of a continuous road throughout the Americas was never realized due to the challenge of navigating the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia. The difficult terrain and environmental concerns, such as the threat of hoof-and-mouth disease, led to the project being abandoned. Nevertheless, the idea of a completed Pan-American Highway persists in our collective memory, symbolizing progress and interconnectedness.
https://daily.jstor.org/the-pan-american-highway-and-the-darien-gap/