Santa Teresa Tram

by georgia grimond, contributing reporterrio de janeiro, brazil ? on tuesday, july 7th the state department of transportation began ten days of testing of rio's revived bonde (tramline) that has been a historic and iconic feature of the hilltop neighborhood santa teresa. four empty trams are running along 900m of track from carioca station in centro to joaquim murtinho street in order to test the magnetic brake system.the bonde was a permanent feature of the city and an important form of transport for those getting to and from santa teresa until they were suspended following a fatal derailing in 2011. six people died and over fifty were injured when the brakes failed.the renewed bonde service was intended to be finished in march 2014, in time for the world cup. however, work has run behind schedule and the construction consortium are only now delivering the services under penalty and with the threat of their contract being cancelled.grouting of cobblestones is due to be completed next week while construction continues on the final section between joaquim murtinho and largo do curvelo. tracks have been laid at largo dos guimarães but concrete is still going down on almirante alexandrino street, between bar arnaldo and the largo dos guimaraes.