ElevadodaPerimetral

The enormous viaduct that loomed over Rio's port area, until it was torn down between 2013 and 2014, was the subject of many twists and controversies. As early as 1946, urban planners were sketching out the route that would later become the Perimetral, created with the aim of improving the flow between Rio's south zone and north zone, as well as making it easier to access the Rio-Niterói bridge and major roads such as the Dutra and the Rio-Petrópolis.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a city with a curved overpass cutting through the urban center. On the left, we see historic and residential buildings, while on the right there is a large parking lot and a port area with ships. In the background, several skyscrapers form the city's skyline.

The project, however, was modified countless times, and the elevated highway only had its first stretch inaugurated in 1960. Full of delays, the entire construction took 25 years: the final inauguration only took place in 1978.

Image description: This is a photograph of a city with a panoramic view. From left to right, we see several buildings of different heights and architectural styles. In the foreground, there is a park with green grass and paved paths. In the center, there is a large modern building with a green and white facade. Further to the right, there is a river with turquoise blue water, where two ships are moored. On the horizon, we see a bridge over the river and more distant buildings. The sky is clear with a few white clouds.

Despite the controversies, the Perimetral elevated highway, with its gigantic proportions, was recognized as a great feat of Brazilian engineering, a symbol of the drive toward the automobile industry and the appreciation for the idea of speed that marked the years of the JK Government and the Military Dictatorship. The problem is that, in the shadow of the enormous elevated highway, entire pieces of a region full of life and history, like Rio's port zone once was, ended up disappearing. There, along the path of the Perimetral, stood, for example, the bustling Central Market of Praça Quinze, with its picturesque metal structure. Or the Hotel Pharoux, a Carioca landmark, considered one of the country's first great hotels, in a more refined style. Neither one nor the other remained standing, and of the old Central Market, only the kiosk that houses the Albamar restaurant, now called Ancoramar, was left.

Image description: This is a photograph of an aerial view of Avenida Perimetral, with the city center in the background. On the left, we see a large body of water, possibly a river, with a few boats floating on it. Along the river, there is a road that curves gently, forming an arc that extends toward the center of the image. In the center, historic buildings with red roofs and white walls stand out, surrounded by green trees. On the right, the city center is made up of several modern skyscrapers, some with green and blue facades.

The demolition of the Perimetral became a key piece in the major redevelopment that Rio's port area underwent in the early 2010s. The news of its destruction, however, sparked reactions of both love and hate.

Image description: This is an aerial photograph of an urban area in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, taken on 02/25/2014. On the left, we see a large building with a blue dome and a red roof, surrounded by trees and a parking lot. In the background, there is a sea with several boats floating. In the center, an area is being demolished, with construction equipment visible. On the right, there is a concrete structure and a highway running parallel to Praça XV.