Since August 27, 2026, traffic circulation in part of Casa Amarela, in Recife's North Zone, has operated under a different layout. Recife's Urban Traffic and Transportation Authority (CTTU) introduced one-way traffic on Avenida Professor José dos Anjos and Rua Astronauta Aldrin and set new routes for two common movements: traveling toward Sítio da Trindade and entering Avenida Professor José dos Anjos for drivers arriving from Estrada do Arraial via Rua Guimarães Peixoto.
CTTU announced the change as permanent, not as a temporary closure. Its stated objective is to reduce traffic conflicts at the accesses to Avenida Norte and Avenida Professor José dos Anjos and improve traffic flow. That describes the purpose of the intervention; the official notice does not, by itself, provide measured post-implementation travel times or congestion reductions.
What changed in the traffic pattern
| Location | New arrangement | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Avenida Professor José dos Anjos at the intersection with Rua Rodrigues Sete | It now operates one-way toward the access to Avenida Norte. | Traffic is channeled toward Avenida Norte; drivers heading toward Sítio da Trindade should use the route via Rua Astronauta Aldrin. |
| Rua Astronauta Aldrin | It also became one-way, in the direction of Rua Rodrigues Sete. | It became part of CTTU's indicated route for reaching the opposite direction of Avenida Professor José dos Anjos. |
| Arrival via Rua Guimarães Peixoto from Estrada do Arraial | The left turn into Avenida Professor José dos Anjos is no longer the indicated access. | CTTU directs drivers to loop back via Rua Djanira, then use Rua Alfredo Osório and Rua Professor Souto Maior. |
How the accesses work in practice
To reach Avenida Norte
On Avenida Professor José dos Anjos, the section associated with the Rua Rodrigues Sete intersection now carries one-way traffic toward Avenida Norte. The intervention is designed to separate movements that previously competed for space at the same point and keep traffic moving toward the main avenue.
To travel toward Sítio da Trindade
Drivers who need to reach Avenida Professor José dos Anjos in the direction of Sítio da Trindade should follow the route indicated by CTTU:
- continue along Rua Astronauta Aldrin;
- proceed toward Rua Rodrigues Sete;
- turn onto Rua Rodrigues Sete to reach the opposite direction of Avenida Professor José dos Anjos.
This is the main adjustment for drivers who were used to completing the movement directly through the section that now concentrates traffic toward Avenida Norte.
For drivers coming from Estrada do Arraial via Rua Guimarães Peixoto
A driver arriving on Rua Guimarães Peixoto who intended to turn left onto Avenida Professor José dos Anjos now needs to take another route. According to the official guidance, the route is:
- loop back via Rua Djanira;
- enter Rua Alfredo Osório;
- continue along Rua Professor Souto Maior.
This detour is part of the new layout created to reduce access conflicts in the area.
Is the change temporary?
No, according to CTTU. The authority says the change implemented on August 27, 2026 is permanent and was already in operation when it was announced. Traffic agents and guides were scheduled to be present during the first few days to help drivers adapt, not as a sign that the change was temporary.
As of the editorial check on September 15, 2026, the official publication still described the intervention as permanent, and no later official notice reversing this configuration was found. For everyday trips, drivers should therefore rely on the traffic signs currently installed on site.
Why CTTU changed the traffic directions
The official rationale is to reduce conflicts at the accesses to Avenida Norte and Avenida Professor José dos Anjos. By converting specific movements to one-way traffic, the authority aims to organize flows converging on the same section and allow more vehicles to reach Avenida Norte without the crossing conflicts present in the previous layout.
It is important to separate objective from measured outcome: the notice states an intention to improve traffic flow and road safety, but it does not publish before-and-after comparisons of speeds, queues or travel times. Those effects should only be stated as confirmed if evaluation data are released.
What the announcement does not change or confirm
- The notice does not describe a general redesign of every street in Casa Amarela; it addresses the area around Avenida Professor José dos Anjos, Rua Astronauta Aldrin and the related access routes.
- Avenida Norte remains an access destination from the area; what changed is how part of the traffic is channeled toward it.
- CTTU does not present the measure as a trial or temporary operation: its official classification is a permanent traffic change.
- The announcement does not prove that every driver will have a shorter trip. Depending on origin and destination, the new route may require an additional loop.
Before driving through the area
Drivers who are still used to the old layout should pay close attention to vertical and pavement signs and avoid last-second decisions at intersections. Navigation apps can take time to reflect recent traffic changes; if there is a discrepancy, on-site road signs and traffic-agent instructions take precedence.
For questions about traffic circulation, CTTU lists the free 24-hour helpline 0800 081 1078.
Official sources
The description of the new directions and routes is based on the CTTU notice published on August 27, 2026 and the corresponding Recife City Hall publication. Editorial check completed on September 15, 2026.
