during Aires de Saldanha e Albuquerque's government, the construction of an aqueduct system was ordered, and the first part was completed in 1723 - the new and improved aqueduct was completed in 1750, and is still as strong as ever in the center of rio de janeiro.

the aqueduct was shut down at the end of the 19th century, when modern technology and piping led to more efficient ways to supply water to rio de janeiro.

this is when the arches were converted to a bridge connecting the city center with the santa teresa neighborhood.