Guayaquil preserves historical tram rails found during roadwork

The Municipality of Guayaquil has begun documenting and preserving historical tram rails that have resurfaced during road maintenance works. The findings, located in traditional sectors of the city, are being integrated into the municipal digital inventory to reconstruct the history of the city's mobility.

Technical surveys were conducted in two specific areas: the intersection of Pichincha and 9 de Octubre streets, and the intersection of Panamá and Víctor Manuel Rendón streets. These surveys included measurements, photographic records, and georeferencing. The data has been added to the Cultural Heritage Geoportal, a platform used to visualize the extent of the former tram network alongside other historical monuments and buildings.

Authorities have decided to preserve the rails in their original locations rather than removing them. Technical experts noted that the concrete and asphalt layers have protected the metal from corrosion since the tram system was replaced by buses in the mid-20th century. Removing the rails without proper planning could lead to metal degradation and the loss of vital historical context regarding the original network layout.