June 13, 2019
KMB Design Group recently completed the MEP engineering design work at Garden State Parkway (GSP) Mile Marker 100 in Wall Township, New Jersey. This busy service area will give travelers more than just a convenient break from the road on their way to the shore this summer.
The Monmouth Service Area, which is located at the 100 mile marker on the GSP -a 172.4 mile limited-access toll road that runs the length of New Jersey from Cape May to the New York line – now features the hot-spot eatery, Shake Shack. According to The Journal, the Shake Shack is an American fast casual restaurant chain based in New York City. It started out as a hot dog cart inside Madison Square Park in 2001, and its popularity steadily grew.
Other food and beverage features include Starbucks, Auntie Anne’s, and a convenience store.
Service areas are critical fixtures along highways in America offering drivers and passengers a safe place to rest and refuel before getting back on the road. It’s important that these facilities are up-to-date in order to fully serve the needs of travelers.
The previous main building was demolished in 2018 and the service area has been under construction since September 2018. The previous building was very old and in dire need of a major renovation – so the client opted for a brand new building as opposed to a major renovation. The goals of the overhaul were to increase public safety, provide a more functional break location for drivers, decrease energy usage and improve operations. To help achieve these goals, KMB Design Group was hired to complete the MEP design work for all of the vendors.
Addressing Unique Challenges
Although KMB has tackled projects like this before, the team had to contend with unique site-specific requirements. With an accelerated project schedule in order to meet the ultimate goal of being open for the 2019 Memorial Day weekend, the KMB MEP engineering design team achieved safe, cost-effective and durable features such as high-efficiency HVAC and hot water heating systems, waterless urinals and LED lighting throughout the service area.
Designing Better Rest Areas in New Jersey
The focused collaboration and expertise with DNA Architects took the service area from permitting to design to construction within one year – an accomplishment that is not usual for transportation designs. In the end, KMB & DNA delivered an amazing new facility for the client. The new service area now serves as a popular stop for travelers as they travel to New Jersey shore points.
For more information on nationwide MEP Engineering Design services, please contact 855-755-6234.