Construction works underway beneath the Minhocão in São Paulo have been halted by the federal heritage protection agency, Iphan, following the discovery of historical tram tracks. The tram tracks, believed to date back to a line that connected the city center to Lapa, were uncovered during work related to the installation of rain gardens. Matheus Lima, a social scientist, raised the alarm about the lack of archaeological oversight during the excavation processes, highlighting that workers were operating without regard for the historical artifacts they were disturbing.

Lima's concern led him to report the situation to the city government through the 156 portal, which resulted in the opening of an administrative process by the DPH, the city heritage department. His discovery sheds light on the oversight, or lack thereof, in construction practices in the city, where the urgency for urban development sometimes overlooks the preservation of the city's historical and cultural heritage. The situation raises important questions about the balance between urban development and heritage preservation in rapidly expanding cities like São Paulo.

The intervention by Iphan not only stops the work but also emphasizes the need for more stringent adherence to heritage protection laws in ongoing and future construction projects. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of archaeological sensitivity in urban planning, especially in contexts rich with history like São Paulo, where modern development must coexist with the preservation of its past.