Van Buren Street Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Van Buren Street Tunnel was Chicago
's third tunnel under the Chicago River
. Built in 1891–92 just north of Van Buren Street, it was 1,514 feet long and was used for cable car service until 1906.
The reversing of the Chicago River exposed the tunnel in 1900 and a wider, deeper replacement was built under the original tunnel and opened to electric streetcar service in 1911-1912.
The tunnel was closed in 1924.
Plans were made to incorporate the tunnel into a high-level subway to run under Jackson Street between Clinton Street and Grand Park, along with parallel route under Washington Street, utilising that street's similar tunnel
under the river. Both would be tied into another subway tunnel to be dug under Clinton Street. The only construction accomplished in advance of these plans were the pair of portals in the Eisenhower Expressway median, 200 feet east of Halsted Street
, constructed in 1952 simultaneously with the pair of portals for the Blue Line, and the double-wide station built at Peoria Street in 1964 to accommodate the anicipated platform north of the UIC-Halsted
platform for the Blue Line. In 1951-1952, the plans were modified to merge the Clinton and Jackson routes and convert the Washington Street subway as a busway rather than as a train tunnel. The plan was cancelled in April 1962, although the design and placement of the Peoria Street stationhouse remained unchanged.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's third tunnel under the Chicago River
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
. Built in 1891–92 just north of Van Buren Street, it was 1,514 feet long and was used for cable car service until 1906.
The reversing of the Chicago River exposed the tunnel in 1900 and a wider, deeper replacement was built under the original tunnel and opened to electric streetcar service in 1911-1912.
The tunnel was closed in 1924.
Plans were made to incorporate the tunnel into a high-level subway to run under Jackson Street between Clinton Street and Grand Park, along with parallel route under Washington Street, utilising that street's similar tunnel
Washington Street Tunnel (Chicago)
The Washington Street Tunnel was the first traffic tunnel under the Chicago River. J.L. Lake was awarded the contract to construct the tunnel in July 1867 and its construction was completed January 1, 1869.This tunnel was 1605 feet long and cost $517,000....
under the river. Both would be tied into another subway tunnel to be dug under Clinton Street. The only construction accomplished in advance of these plans were the pair of portals in the Eisenhower Expressway median, 200 feet east of Halsted Street
Halsted Street
Halsted Street is a major north-south street in the American city of Chicago, Illinois.-Location:In Chicago's grid system, Halsted street marks 800 West, one mile west of State Street, from Grace Street in Lakeview south to the city limits at the Little Calumet River in West Pullman...
, constructed in 1952 simultaneously with the pair of portals for the Blue Line, and the double-wide station built at Peoria Street in 1964 to accommodate the anicipated platform north of the UIC-Halsted
UIC-Halsted (CTA)
UIC–Halsted is a station on the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' system, serving the Blue Line.-History:UIC–Halsted opened in 1958 as one of the new stations on the Congress Line on the median of the Congress Street Super Highway which replaced the Garfield Park elevated line that used to run along...
platform for the Blue Line. In 1951-1952, the plans were modified to merge the Clinton and Jackson routes and convert the Washington Street subway as a busway rather than as a train tunnel. The plan was cancelled in April 1962, although the design and placement of the Peoria Street stationhouse remained unchanged.