Workers laying the foundation for Almaty's light rail transit (LRT) system have uncovered tram rails that lay hidden under asphalt for decades. The discovery was noted by journalist and local historian Konstantin Kozlov, as reported by Kursiv LifeStyle.
Kozlov said the rails were found on Tole bi Street, between Zheltoksan and Abylai Khan streets. A tram line operated there from the 1930s through the 1960s. "This is a genuine historical artifact. How many years have they lain under layers of asphalt and soil?" he remarked, backing his statement with archival photos showing trams on that stretch.
Published images show old rails emerging from beneath removed road pavement. However, according to Kozlov, the rails were dismantled by the afternoon of July 15.
The find sparked a lively reaction on social media. Almaty residents reminisced about the city's former tram network, with some suggesting the rails be preserved as part of history. "These old rails are made of a very strong alloy," "Artifacts of a bygone advanced civilization," "Wow, how many samurai swords could be made," and "They'll melt them down and pass them off as new. And pocket the budget money," users wrote.
Earlier reports indicated that Almaty authorities expect to launch the first LRT line by the end of 2027, originally planned for the second quarter of 2029.