Tramway
The aqueduct was deactivated at the end of the 19th century, as new alternatives to supply water to Rio were developed. The arches were adapted in 1896 to serve as a bridge for a tram - the Bondinho de Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa Tramway) - that transports passengers between the centre of Rio and the hilly Santa Teresa neighbourhood. The picturesque ride is popular among locals and tourists alike. The Santa Teresa bondinho is the only tram still in use in Rio de Janeiro.
In the 1960s, several houses that had been built near the aqueduct were demolished, improving the visual impact of the monument.
Read more about this topic: Carioca Aqueduct