The Loop (CTA)
circuit of elevated rail that forms the hub of the Chicago 'L' system in the United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Loop (historically Union Loop, or commonly Loop) is the 1.79-mile (2.88 km) long circuit of elevated railroad that forms the hub of the Chicago "L" system in Chicago, Illinois.
Quick Facts Overview, Status ...
The Loop | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Status | Operational |
Locale | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
Stations | 8 |
Service | |
Type | Rapid transit |
System | Chicago "L" |
Services | Orange Line Green Line Purple Line Express Brown Line Pink Line |
Operator(s) | Chicago Transit Authority |
Daily ridership | 74,148 (average weekday 2016)[1] |
History | |
Opened | 1895–1897 |
Technical | |
Track length | 1.79 miles (2.9 km) |
Number of tracks | 2 |
Character | Elevated |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Minimum radius | 90 feet (27 m) |
Electrification | Third rail, 600v DC |
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As of 2012, the branch has served 74,651 passengers every weekday.[2]
The Loop is so named because the railroad loops around a rectangle formed by Lake Street (north side), Wabash Avenue (east), Van Buren Street (south), and Wells Street (west). The railroad loop has given its name to Chicago's downtown, which is known as the Loop.[3] However, transportation historian Bruce Moffat has concluded that "The Loop" was not used as a proper noun until after Charles Yerkes' 1895–97 construction of the elevated structure.[4]