The Loop

The Loop is an elevated railway circuit that rings the downtown business district with steel support columns carrying the tracks above street level. The system connects multiple transit lines at four major transfer stations and serves as the backbone for getting around the central area.

The circuit was completed in 1897 and revolutionized downtown movement by lifting trains above street congestion. This engineering solution made Chicago a leading model for urban rapid transit development.

The elevated line shapes how residents think about downtown and creates a natural boundary for the business district. People use it daily as a reference point and gathering place while moving through the city.

Trains run continuously around the circuit and stop regularly at stations for passenger transfers. Visitors can easily switch between lines by following signs that direct them to different platforms.

The structure sits on thousands of steel support columns that have carried train weight for over a century. This foundation represents a remarkable engineering achievement that has withstood the test of time.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1897

Architects: John Alexander Low Waddell

Official opening: September 6, 1897

Made from material: steel, wood

Part of: Chicago "L"

GPS coordinates: 41.88000,-87.64640

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:20