Illinois Tollway M1 Maintenance Facility

We recently photographed the Epstein designed and engineered Illinois Tollway M-1 Maintenance Facility in Alsip, Illinois. This LEED-NC Gold building is located at 127000 South Cicero Avenue and I-294 and M1 is the first site to be addressed in a system-wide renovation & new maintenance facility program being executed by Epstein.

The M-1 building is a $21.6M, 94,383 square foot maintenance facility located on an existing 8-acre site. The M-1 project featured a carefully phased project in which the new building construction and site development could not interfere with the critical activities and functions of the older existing facility. The approximately 170' by 400' maintenance building houses 60,260 square feet of truck and equipment parking and a welding shop; 15,732 square feet of parts, storage, management offices;a storage mezzanine; and afunctionally connected, eight-bay truck maintenance garage of some 11,516 square feet. An administrative support area of 6,875 square feet houses an independent State Highway Patrol facility and Tollway driver support including locker rooms and a break/small assembly area for daily and emergency storm logistic briefings.

The M1 Building exterior envelop has been designed with low maintenance, durable, insulated structural precast panels in subtle shades of white and grey to reflect the three distinct functions of the facility. The precast and all exposed surfaces have been detailed to combat the highly corrosive environment of an operation that is exposed to salt dust, mist, and residue on a 24/7 basis.

The building also features many sustainable design elements including a rooftop photovoltaic array which will supply supplemental electricity. Skylights, and punched openings in the precast-wall panels utilize translucent, insulating glass and polycarbonate panels to provide abundant natural day-lighting. The high-bay maintenance portion is naturally ventilated with operable windows.

With the M1's certification, Epstein has now played a significant design, engineering and/or LEED consulting role in helping over 50 buildings achieve LEED certification.