By Lisa Flueckiger, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The popular bonde (tram) that takes passengers from Rio de Janeiro’s Centro to bohemian neighborhood Santa Teresa is set to start a new phase in construction with the goal to opening the stretch until main square Largo dos Guimarães. The first stretch that opened until Largo do Curvelo has already proved to be successful.
The bonde was dearly missed by both visitors to the city, as well as residents and businessowners in the hilltop neighborhood of Santa Teresa during its absence since 2011 after an accident.
The first stretch of the re-opened tram that went into operations at the end of last month has already proved to be a success. It has transported 40,000 passengers so far and people had to queue for a ride on the first days of operations.
The trams are circulating in fifteen minutes intervalls and can be taken free of charge. The service operates from Monday to Saturday from 11AM to 4PM.
Now, construction has initiatied a new phase in order to open up the next stretch of the bonde line, leading it all the way to Santa Teresa’s main square Largo dos Guimarães. The new phase is set to start today (August 31st) and the new trails are set to be running by the end of September/early October.
Traffic restrictions can be expected during this month-long process on the intersection between Rua Almirante Alexandrino and Rua Cândido Mendes and around the aqueduct, as well as around Rua Pascoal Carlos Magno and between Largo dos Guimarães and Rua Fonseca Guimarães.
Some bus lines will also have to detour around the construction. But on the other hand, constructions at the Ladeira do Castro are completed and it will be opened for traffic again. The civil construction on Largo dos Guimarães is also expected to be done by next weekend.