Managua - Nicaragua's Supreme Court has rejected more than 30 appeals that sought to stop plans for building a canal across the Central American nation.
The top court dominated by President Daniel Ortega's allies dismissed on Wednesday challenges to any start to the proposed $40-billion waterway.
Court spokesman Roberto Larios says the judges rejecting hearing the cases, finding that the project doesn't violate the constitution.
Environmentalists and academics had expected the outcome, which removes the last legal barrier for the canal to move forward.
Nicaraguan legislators in June approved granting Beijing-based telecommunications CEO Wang Jing a concession to build and operate a canal more than three times the length of Panama's.
Proponents say the project could lift Nicaragua from poverty. Opponents say it's not feasible economic and could damage the environment. - Sapa-AP