Part 3/9:
The layered construction of the streets above isn't just for aesthetics; it serves vital functions. With asphalt paving designed to absorb the wear and tear of vehicles and weather, underneath this lies a concrete base for stability. And if you delve deeper — up to 12 inches — remnants of the original wooden roads can still be found. This ingenuity in construction was necessary as the city expanded rapidly, leading to the foundation of modern Chicago as we know it.