Read the following excerpt from a historical article:
'The construction of the Panama Canal was a monumental undertaking, fraught with challenges.
French efforts in the 1880s were plagued by disease and financial problems, ultimately leading to their failure.
The United States took over the project in 1904, and one of its first priorities was to control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like yellow fever and malaria.
Dr.
William Gorgas implemented sanitation programs that virtually eradicated these diseases from the canal zone, a critical step that enabled the workforce to proceed.
The engineering feats were equally impressive, involving the creation of the massive Gatun Lake and a series of complex locks to lift ships over the continental divide.'
Which of the following statements best summarizes the central idea of the passage?
