Chicago dug 60 miles of freight tunnels under the Loop in 1899 and forgot them; in 1992, a damaged wall let the river in, and losses topped $1 billion

Chicago's forgotten freight tunnels were constructed to ease street congestion, acting as essential channels for coal and parcels. However, neglect set in, tarnishing their initial purpose. A pivotal moment came in 1992 when a structural failure led to severe flooding, revealing the dire need for strict infrastructure management. Now, only a handful of these tunnels are still in operation, highlighting the ongoing necessity for vigilant maintenance of urban facilities.