Wacker Drive facts for kids
Wacker Drive is a very important street in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It runs right next to the Chicago River, following the south side of the main part of the river and the east side of its south branch. What makes Wacker Drive special is that it's a multilevel street. This means it has more than one level for cars and trucks!
What is a Multilevel Street?
Most of Wacker Drive is built with two levels, like a two-story road. This is called being double-decked. Imagine one road built right on top of another! This clever design helps manage traffic in a busy city like Chicago.
How Wacker Drive's Levels Work
The upper level of Wacker Drive is mostly for cars and local traffic. It's where people drive to get to shops, offices, and other places nearby.
The lower level is different. It's mainly used for trucks and vehicles that need to deliver things to the buildings along the street. It also helps through-traffic, meaning cars that want to pass through the area without stopping. Long ago, this lower level was also used as a dock for boats on the river.
Images for kids
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Two aerial views in 1926
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A side view, as seen from the Chicago River around 2005
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Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago
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