A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc., the Chicago-based architecture,
engineering and construction firm, today joined officials from the City
of Naperville and the Naperville Test Track Association as the designer
and engineer of the Chicagoland area's first public/private automobile
test track at a signing ceremony held on-site to officially kick-off the project.
The track will be constructed on 8.8 acres of land near the intersection of
Jefferson Avenue and Fort Hill Drive in the City of Naperville. It is being
designed for use by customers of this car dealer consortium desiring an off-road
location to test drive their vehicles. The track will provide drivers with an
environment that replicates the challenges of regular roadway driving but in a
more controlled setting.
"Drivers want to know how a car handles upfront in a number of different situations,"
stated John O'Neill, A. Epstein's senior vice president/Civil and principal for the
test track project. "We are designing a test track that will provide drivers many
types of common roadway challenges, but in an environment that is off-the-street and
potentially more controlled."
Initial layout and design calls for an asphalt road surface similar to what most drivers
realistically encounter each day. The track may include common challenges including speed
bumps, cobblestone surfaces and railroad crossings. Most of the surfaces will be at grade,
with more 'terrain', including small hills, found in a special SUV testing area. The track
will be landscaped to make the experience as realistic as possible. A. Epstein currently
is working with the various car dealers who comprise the Naperville Test Track Association
to determine the most appropriate features for the test track design.
A. Epstein is providing full site and track architecture and engineering design services,
plus lighting design and civil engineering expertise. Final design of the track is
scheduled for the end of 2005. Construction will begin in spring, 2006 with completion
tentatively scheduled for summer, 2006.
Founded in 1921, A. Epstein is one of the largest and oldest
architecture and engineering firms in the country. In addition
to architecture, engineering and construction services, the
firm also provides interior and graphic design expertise.
In-house studios include ISI, the firm's interior design unit;
annex|5, the firm's in-house architecture studio; and neXt,
A. Epstein's graphic design and wayfinding unit. In addition
to its Chicago headquarters, the firm also maintains offices
in Los Angeles, California; San Antonio, Texas; Warsaw, Poland;
Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beersheba, Israel; and Beijing and Shenzhen,
China.
