Editing Wacker Drive

{{Short description|Major street in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox street
|name= Wacker Drive
|image=Chicago (ILL), Michigan-Wacker Historic District - " Wacker drive " (4824641365).jpg
|caption=Upper Wacker Drive, looking west from Michigan Avenue
|image_map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=line|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Wacker Drive}}}}
|map_caption=Wacker Drive highlighted in red
|former_names= Market Street<br>Water Street<br>River Street
|length_mi= 2.2
|length_ref= <ref name=google_maps>[https://maps.google.com Google Maps] estimate.</ref>
|inauguration_date= 1926
|direction_a=South
|terminus_a= '''Upper Wacker:''' Franklin Street/Harrison Street intersection (360 west at 424 south)<br/>
'''Lower Wacker:''' [[Ida B. Wells Drive]] near Wells Street (220 west at 400 south)
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{jct|state=IL|US|41|name1=[[Lake Shore Drive]]}} (340 north at 400 east)
}}

'''Wacker Drive''' is a major [[Multilevel streets in Chicago|multilevel street]] in [[Chicago]], Illinois, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the [[Chicago River]] in the [[Loop, Chicago|Loop]].<ref name=SCWD>Hayner, Don and Tom McNamee, ''Streetwise Chicago'', "Wacker Drive", p. 129., [[Loyola University Press]], 1988, {{ISBN|0-8294-0597-6}}</ref>  The vast majority of the street is [[Multilevel streets in Chicago|double-decked]]; the upper level is intended for regular street-level traffic, and the lower level for service vehicles, deliveries, waste collection, utility access, and through traffic. It is sometimes cited as a precursor to the [[freeway]], though when it was built, the idea was that [[Cruising (driving)|pleasure vehicle]]s would use the upper level. Since it follows the curving path of the Chicago River, Lower Wacker Drive is the only street in the city that adopts both North–South and East–West designations.{{efn|The western portion of the street is called North Wacker Drive and South Wacker Drive, while the northern portion is called West Wacker Drive and East Wacker Drive.}}  In certain areas, there is a third level of Wacker Drive, often known as '''Lower Lower Wacker Drive''' or '''Sub-Lower Wacker Drive'''. This additional layer is primarily used for towing and impounding vehicles, utility infrastructure, and rail access in some areas. The street is named after early 20th-century Chicago businessman and city planner [[Charles H. Wacker]].

==History==
{{multiple image
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 | header    = 
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 | header_background = 
 | footer    = Left: [[Navy Pier]]'s fireworks over [[Lake Michigan]] beyond the [[Chicago River]] and the [[Michigan Avenue Bridge|Michigan Avenue]] and [[Link Bridge]]s with East Wacker on right; Left center: [[Willis Tower]] at 233 South Wacker; Right center: [[333 West Wacker]] sits at the junction of east-west and north-south traffic; Right: [[360 North Michigan]] (Now the LondonHouse Hotel), [[Mather Tower]] and [[35 East Wacker]] on East Wacker west of [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] and the [[Michigan Avenue Bridge]].
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 | width     = 
 | image1    = 20090625 Fireworks from Sixteen at Trump Tower Chicago.jpg 
 | width1    = 117
 | alt1      = late night fireworks beyond a river at night
 | caption1  = 
 | image2    = Willis Tower.jpg
 | width2    = 111
 | alt2      = Skyward view from the foot of a skysraper that reads Willis Tower 233 South Wacker
 | caption2  = 
 | image3    = 333 Wacker Drive Chicago.jpg
 | width3    = 135
 | alt3      = Image of tall building with reflecting skyline
 | caption3  = 
 | image4    = 20070530 360 North Michigan and 35 East Wacker.JPG
 | width4    = 133
 | alt4      = Image of tall building
 | caption4  = 
}}
In 1909, [[architect]]s [[Daniel Burnham]] and [[Edward H. Bennett]] drew up a [[Burnham Plan|plan]] for the [[Commercial Club of Chicago]] to unify the city's urban design and increase its physical beautification. The improvement of traffic flow in [[Chicago]] was a major part of the plan. Among its many recommendations was a [[Multilevel streets in Chicago|double-decked roadway]] along the river, intended to relieve the congestion at River Street and [[Rush Street (Chicago)|Rush Street]], where 50% of the city's north&ndash;south traffic crossed the [[Chicago River]]. [[Charles H. Wacker]], chairman of the [[Chicago Plan Commission]], pushed the idea.

{{multiple image
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 | image1    = Wacker Drive, 3 levels.jpg
 | width1    = 160
 | alt1      = Dusk image of river and tall buildings on either side
 | caption1  = All three levels of Wacker Drive, east of [[Columbus Drive (Chicago)|Columbus Drive]], including a ramp between the upper and lower (middle) levels
 | image2    = GOYK1191s.JPG
 | width2    = 160
 | alt2      = Dusk image of river and tall buildings on either side
 | caption2  = Wacker Drive to the south of the [[Chicago River]] looking east
}}
The original double-decker road, replacing South Water and River Streets, was completed in 1926 at a cost of $8 million and named after [[Charles Wacker]]. The 1926 section stretched from [[Lake Street (Chicago)|Lake Street]]<!--or was it Randolph Street? NY Times says Madison, but that was probably just the upper level--> to [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]], the latter of which was also rebuilt into a two-level road.

An extension south to [[Congress Parkway]] and Harrison Street was built between 1948 and 1954, replacing Market Street (after the [[Market Street stub (CTA)|Market Street stub]] of the [[Lake Street Elevated]] was removed).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://chicago-l.org/stations/market_term.html | title = Market Terminal | first = Graham | last = Garfield | publisher = Chicago-L.org | access-date=2008-01-04}}</ref> Extensions east were built in 1963 and 1975, with the latter taking it to [[Lake Shore Drive]], and a new lower level starting at Stetson Avenue. At the time, Lake Shore Drive had an [[reverse curve|S-curve]] at the river, running where Wacker now goes between Field Boulevard and current Lake Shore Drive. This S-curve was on a [[viaduct]] over the [[Illinois Central Railroad]]'s [[rail yard]], and was at the level of Upper Wacker; the middle and lower levels dead-ended at that point. The current alignment of Lake Shore Drive was finished in 1986, and in 1987 Middle Wacker was extended to meet the new alignment. The ramps to bring upper traffic down had already been built; upper has been dead-ended where it used to end at Lake Shore Drive.

[[Image:Revive Wacker Drive.png|frame|left|Logo for the 2001–2002 project]]In 2001–2002, Wacker Drive was redesigned and reconstructed between Michigan Avenue and Lake Street.  The original upper deck was crumbling, and the entire roadway did not meet modern standards for road widths and clearances.  Using a specially-developed [[post-tensioned concrete|post-tensioned]], [[reinforced concrete|reinforced]], high-performance concrete cast-in-place system, the new road deck was expected to have a lifespan of 75–100 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.roadsbridges.com/bridges/article/10582636/reviving-a-landmark | title=Reviving a Landmark | publisher=Roads and Bridges |date=October 2001| access-date=2022-01-13 }}</ref> Walkways along the river were meant to make the drive more pedestrian-friendly, while restoration of historic limestone elements and reproduction lighting evoked the drive's original 1926 appearance.  The 20-month, $200-million project was completed on time and within budget.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eastlanddisaster.org/markerrededication.htm | title = Revive Wacker Drive project | year = 2003 | access-date=2008-01-04 }}</ref>

In spring of 2010, work commenced on rebuilding the north–south section of Wacker, from Randolph Street to Congress Parkway, including the upper and lower levels.  This is a continuation of the Revive Wacker Drive project started in 2001.

Wacker is the only street to intersect both [[State Street (Chicago)|State Street]] (the east&ndash;west center line) and [[Madison Street (Chicago)|Madison Street]] (the north&ndash;south center line), although Lake Shore Drive and LaSalle Street/Drive<ref>LaSalle Street is principally a north-south roadway. North of North Avenue however, LaSalle Drive runs generally east-west, intersecting with Clark Street, Stockton Drive, and Lake Shore Drive. Dearborn Parkway, State Parkway, and Astor Street do not exist north of North Avenue; LaSalle Drive crosses State Street/Parkway's 0-E/W meridian while transiting the southern edge of Lincoln Park.</ref> also each cross both dividing lines.

In April 2014, The [[American Council of Engineering Companies]] awarded the Wacker Drive and Congress Parkway Reconstruction project its Grand Conceptor Award. The project team was led by TranSystems and included roadway, bridge and tunnel improvement work. The project involved complex staging to keep 135,000 vehicles and 150,000 pedestrians moving through the construction zone each day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transystems.com/Home/News-Press/In-The-Spotlight/Archive/TranSystems--Wacker-Drive-Reconstruction-Wins-Top.aspx|title=TranSystems - TranSystems' Wacker Drive Reconstruction Wins Top Honor from ACEC}}</ref>

==Intersections==
The following streets intersect Upper Wacker Drive, from south to north and west to east. Most upper-level streets that end at Wacker Drive, with only right turns allowed, are not included.

{{Jcttop|state=IL|county=Cook|location=Chicago|length_ref=<ref>name=google_maps</ref>}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.0
|road=Harrison Street (600 South) / Franklin Street (300 West)
|notes=Southern terminus; no access to Upper Wacker northbound
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.2
|road=[[Ida B. Wells Drive]]
|notes=Northbound entrance only
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.2
|road=Van Buren Street (400 South)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.3
|road=Jackson Boulevard (300 South)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.4
|road=Adams Street (200 South)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.5
|road=Monroe Street (100 South)
|notes=Intersection is with Upper Wacker Drive and formerly had entrances and exits to and from northbound and southbound Lower Wacker Drive; currently only has an entrance to northbound Lower Wacker Drive}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.5
|road=[[Madison Street (Chicago)|Madison Street]] (1 North/South)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.6
|road=Washington Street (100 North)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.7
|road=[[Randolph Street (Chicago)|Randolph Street]] (150 North)
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.8
|road=[[Lake Street (Chicago)|Lake Street]]
|notes=No access to Lake Street westbound from Upper Wacker Drive northbound
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.9
|road=Franklin Street (300 West)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.0
|road=[[Wells Street (Chicago)|Wells Street]]
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.1
|road=[[LaSalle Street]] (140 West)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.2
|road=[[Clark Street (Chicago)|Clark Street]] (100 West)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.2
|road=Dearborn Street (36 West)
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.3
|road=[[State Street (Chicago)|State Street]] (0 East/West)
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.3
|road=Wacker Place
|notes=Eastbound exit only
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.4
|road=Wabash Avenue (44 East)
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.5
|road=[[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] (100 East)
|notes=No access to Upper Wacker Drive westbound from Michigan Street northbound or Upper Wacker eastbound from Michigan northbound
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.6
|road=Stetson Avenue
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.7
|road=Stetson Avenue
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.7
|road=[[Columbus Drive (Chicago)|Columbus Drive]]
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.9
|road=[[St. Regis Chicago]]
|notes=Eastern terminus
}}
{{Jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}

The following streets intersect Lower Wacker Drive, from south to north and west to east.

{{Jcttop|state=IL|county=Cook|location=Chicago|length_ref=<ref>name=google_maps</ref>}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.0
|road=Harrison Street (600 South) / Franklin Street (300 West)
|notes=Southern terminus
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.1
|road=[[Ida B. Wells Drive]]
|notes=Northbound entrance and southbound exit
}}
{{ILint
|mile=0.9
|road=Post Place
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.2
|road=Garvey Court
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.3
|road=Wacker Place
|notes=Eastbound exit only
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.5
|road=[[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]] (100 East)
}}
{{ILint
|type=incomplete
|mile=1.5
|road=Beaubien Court
|notes=Eastbound entrance and exit only
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.6
|road=Stetson Avenue
}}
{{ILint
|mile=1.7
|road=[[Columbus Drive (Chicago)|Columbus Drive]]
}}
{{ILint
|mile=2.0
|road={{Jct|state=IL|US|41|name1=[[Lake Shore Drive]]
}}
}}
{{Jctbtm|keys=incomplete}}

==In popular media==
* The 1980 film ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' used Wacker Drive as a setting.<ref name="KF1">{{cite web|title=The Blues Brothers - Chicago Filming Locations|work=Locations in the Blues Brothers|url=http://kevinforsyth.net/film/blues.htm|access-date=December 16, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080524050219/http://kevinforsyth.net/film/blues.htm |archive-date = May 24, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The car chase scene in ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (2008) was filmed on Lower Wacker Drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/locations|title=The Dark Knight (2008) - Filming Locations|publisher=[[IMDb]].com, Inc.|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> 
* The music video for "[[Burnin' (instrumental)|Burnin']]{{Thinsp}}" pays tribute to Chicago house producers that [[Daft Punk]] found inspiration in.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/43314425|title=Daft Punk - Burnin' (Official Video)|website=Vimeo|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=360
|Image:Wacker Drive aerials.jpg|Two aerial views in 1926
|Image:Wacker Drive side view.png|A side view, as seen from the [[Chicago River]]
|Image:Chicago River from Michigan Avenue (closeup).jpg|Wacker Drive in downtown [[Chicago]]
|Image:Wacker Drive and the Chicago River.jpg|A view of Wacker Drive and the [[Chicago River]] looking east from [[Merchandise Mart]] in February 2017
|File:20220729 St. Regis Chicago from Lake Point Tower.jpg|View of East Wacker skyscrapers from [[Lake Point Tower]], July 2022}}

==See also==
*[[Multilevel streets in Chicago]]
*[[Philo Carpenter]]
* Buildings on Wacker Drive
**[[Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building]]
**[[Civic Opera House]]
**[[One South Wacker]]
**[[111 South Wacker Drive]]
**[[200 South Wacker Drive]]
**[[Willis Tower]]
**[[311 South Wacker Drive]]
**[[333 Wacker Drive]]
**225 West Wacker Drive

== Explanatory notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050516111813/http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_ATTACH/Community_Areas_LOOP.pdf Official City of Chicago Loop Community Map] 
{{Chicago}}
{{Streets in Chicago}}

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[[Category:Streets in Chicago]]