Before restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses can open their doors, the property needs a strong foundation and properly constructed parking areas. In May 2026, Eckles Paving completed a commercial grading and asphalt paving project in Herriman, Utah, helping prepare one of the city’s newer commercial developments for future businesses.
Unlike projects that involve repairing or resurfacing existing asphalt, this was a new construction project. Eckles Paving handled the grading work and installed new asphalt parking lots, helping transform an undeveloped commercial site into a property ready for the next stages of development.
With restaurants and other businesses planned for the development, the project demonstrates how professional grading services and commercial asphalt paving work together to create functional commercial properties.
Eckles Paving installs a new asphalt parking lot.
Herriman Commercial Development Project Overview
Herriman continues to experience residential and commercial growth, creating opportunities for new restaurants, retail centers, and other businesses.
In May 2026, Eckles Paving worked on a new commercial development in Herriman, Utah, where future businesses will occupy the property. Our crew completed the grading and installed the asphalt parking lots needed to support the development.
- Project: New Commercial Development in Herriman
- Location: Herriman, Utah
- Project Date: May 2026
- Services: Commercial grading and new asphalt parking lot paving
- Property Type: New commercial development
- Future Use: Restaurants and other businesses
- Project Purpose: Prepare the site and establish paved parking areas for future commercial operations
By handling both grading and paving, Eckles Paving contributed to two important stages of the commercial construction process.
Starting With Commercial Site Grading
Every successful asphalt paving project begins beneath the surface. Before installing asphalt, contractors must prepare the site to support the finished pavement and accommodate the property’s intended use.
At this Herriman commercial development, Eckles Paving completed the grading work before paving the parking lots.
Grading involves shaping and preparing the ground to establish the elevations and slopes required for construction. On commercial properties, this work is especially important because parking lots must accommodate vehicles, pedestrian access, drainage, and connections to surrounding infrastructure.
An aerial view of Eckles Paving’s grading and parking lot preparation work.
Why Proper Grading Matters
Commercial site grading serves several important purposes:
- Creates suitable elevations: Establishes the required heights and slopes throughout the site.
- Supports pavement construction: Helps prepare the ground for the materials that will support the asphalt.
- Improves drainage: Helps direct water toward designated drainage areas.
- Supports parking lot layout: Establishes the foundation for vehicle access, parking areas, and drive lanes.
- Reduces future problems: Proper preparation can help prevent settlement, uneven pavement, and drainage-related deterioration.
Grading is particularly important for new commercial developments because the work must coordinate with the overall site design and other construction activities.
Learn more about Eckles Paving’s commercial grading services in Utah.
Preparing the Site for New Asphalt Parking Lots
Once a commercial site has been graded, the pavement foundation must meet the requirements of the project before asphalt installation can begin.
New parking lot construction differs from resurfacing an existing parking lot. Rather than placing asphalt over an established pavement surface, crews build a new pavement structure designed for the property’s anticipated traffic and use.
The underlying materials play a major role in pavement performance. A properly prepared and compacted base helps distribute vehicle loads and support the asphalt above it.
For a commercial development with future restaurants and retail businesses, pavement design may need to account for different types of traffic, including:
- Daily customer vehicles
- Employee parking
- Delivery trucks
- Waste collection vehicles
- Service and maintenance vehicles
- Construction traffic during the remaining development stages
These traffic demands make professional preparation and appropriate pavement design essential for long-term performance.
The commercial development in Herriman, Utah.
Installing New Asphalt Parking Lots in Herriman
After completing the grading work, Eckles Paving installed new asphalt parking lots at the Herriman commercial development.
Asphalt is a popular choice for commercial parking lots because it provides a smooth driving surface, accommodates a wide range of vehicle traffic, and can be maintained or repaired as needed.
New asphalt paving requires careful coordination of materials, equipment, and crew operations to achieve a consistent finished surface.
How Commercial Asphalt Paving Works
Although specific installation requirements vary by project, commercial asphalt paving generally involves several stages.
1. Preparing the Pavement Foundation
Crews verify that the supporting surface is ready for asphalt installation. Proper preparation helps establish the foundation for the finished parking lot.
2. Placing Hot Mix Asphalt
Asphalt paving equipment places hot mix asphalt across the designated parking areas according to the project’s specifications.
Maintaining appropriate material temperatures and consistent placement helps support effective compaction and a uniform surface.
3. Compacting the Asphalt
Rollers compact the newly placed asphalt to achieve the required pavement density.
Proper compaction is one of the most important factors in asphalt performance because insufficient density can contribute to premature deterioration.
4. Finishing the Parking Areas
The finished asphalt surface establishes the paved parking areas and vehicle circulation routes for the development.
Additional improvements, such as parking lot striping, signage, and other site features, can be completed according to the overall construction schedule.
Why Grading and Asphalt Paving Should Work Together
One of the advantages of the Herriman project was that Eckles Paving handled both the grading and asphalt paving portions of the work.
These services are closely connected. The quality of the finished asphalt depends heavily on the condition and preparation of the materials underneath it.
When grading and paving are coordinated, contractors can better align the pavement installation with the site’s required elevations, drainage patterns, and construction schedule.
For developers and general contractors, coordinating these stages can also simplify communication between the teams responsible for preparing and paving the site.
At this Herriman development, Eckles Paving helped move the project from site preparation to finished asphalt parking areas.
Building Parking Lots for Future Restaurants and Businesses
Commercial parking lots do more than provide places for customers to park. They influence how people enter, navigate, and experience a property.
For restaurants and retail businesses, a well-designed parking lot supports convenient access and efficient vehicle circulation.
New commercial developments may need to accommodate a variety of uses, including customer parking, deliveries, pedestrian routes, and accessible parking spaces.
Important design considerations include:
- Convenient entrances and exits
- Clearly defined drive lanes
- Appropriate parking stall layouts
- Accessible parking and pedestrian routes
- Delivery and service vehicle access
- Drainage and stormwater management
- Connections between parking areas and future buildings
While each property has its own design requirements, a properly constructed asphalt surface provides an important starting point for these features.
Once a development is ready for pavement markings, professional parking lot striping can help organize parking spaces and traffic flow.
The Eckles Paving crew installs and compacts new asphalt parking lots.
Drainage Considerations for Commercial Parking Lots
Drainage is one of the most important factors in commercial asphalt construction.
Water that collects on a parking lot or reaches the pavement foundation can contribute to premature damage. During Utah’s winter months, freezing and thawing temperatures can make moisture-related pavement problems worse.
Proper grading helps establish slopes that direct water toward designated drainage features.
Depending on the property’s design, commercial drainage systems may include storm drains, catch basins, curbs, gutters, and other runoff management features.
These systems must work together with the parking lot’s surface elevations to move water away from vulnerable areas.
For a new commercial development, addressing drainage during initial construction is generally more practical than correcting major drainage problems after the parking lot is finished.
Commercial Asphalt Paving for Utah’s Growing Communities
Herriman is one of several communities along the Wasatch Front experiencing continued development. As new neighborhoods expand, commercial properties are often developed to serve nearby residents.
Restaurants, retail centers, professional offices, and other businesses all depend on reliable parking areas and vehicle access.
For developers, new construction asphalt paving represents an important investment in the property’s long-term functionality.
Professional grading and paving help establish infrastructure that can support the property’s intended use as businesses move into the development.
Eckles Paving works with general contractors, developers, commercial property owners, and other construction professionals throughout Utah on projects ranging from new parking lots to large-scale asphalt maintenance.
The Eckles Paving crew compacts asphalt in Herriman, Utah.
How Utah Weather Affects New Commercial Asphalt
Utah’s climate creates unique challenges for asphalt pavement.
Commercial parking lots experience summer heat, intense sunlight, winter freezing temperatures, snow, and seasonal moisture.
These conditions can contribute to pavement aging and deterioration over time.
Proper pavement construction, drainage, and ongoing maintenance all play a role in protecting asphalt from weather-related damage.
Eckles Paving completed the Herriman commercial development project in May 2026, during Utah’s spring paving season.
Spring can provide suitable conditions for asphalt installation, although contractors must still evaluate temperatures, precipitation, and project specifications before paving.
Learn more about the best time of year for asphalt paving in Utah.
Long-Term Parking Lot Maintenance for Commercial Properties
After businesses open and parking lots begin receiving regular traffic, preventive maintenance becomes an important part of protecting the pavement.
Commercial property owners can help extend the life of their asphalt by addressing small issues before they develop into larger problems.
Common asphalt maintenance services include:
- Crack sealing to help prevent water from entering pavement cracks
- Sealcoating when appropriate for the pavement’s age and condition
- Asphalt repair for potholes and localized damage
- Parking lot striping to maintain visible parking spaces and traffic markings
- Routine drainage inspections and cleaning
Developing a maintenance plan can help commercial property managers preserve pavement condition and reduce the need for extensive repairs.
Learn more about when to sealcoat, resurface, or replace asphalt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What work did Eckles Paving complete at the Herriman commercial development?
Eckles Paving completed the site grading and installed new asphalt parking lots for a commercial development planned to include restaurants and other businesses.
When was the Herriman commercial paving project completed?
Eckles Paving completed the grading and asphalt paving work in May 2026.
Why is grading important before asphalt paving?
Grading establishes the required elevations and slopes, helping prepare the site for pavement construction and proper drainage.
Can Eckles Paving handle both grading and asphalt paving?
Yes. Eckles Paving provides commercial grading and asphalt paving services for new construction projects throughout Utah.
How thick should asphalt be for a commercial parking lot?
Asphalt thickness depends on expected traffic, soil conditions, pavement design, and the supporting base. Commercial properties with heavy delivery vehicles may require different pavement structures than areas used primarily by passenger cars.
Does Eckles Paving work with commercial developers and general contractors?
Yes. Eckles Paving works with developers, general contractors, property owners, and businesses on new construction paving and asphalt maintenance projects.
Why Choose Eckles Paving for Commercial Grading and Asphalt Paving?
Eckles Paving brings more than 35 years of experience to asphalt paving and site preparation projects throughout Utah.
Our team understands the importance of coordinating grading, pavement preparation, and asphalt installation during commercial construction.
Whether a project involves a new retail center, restaurant development, industrial property, or existing commercial parking lot, Eckles Paving provides professional services tailored to the property’s needs.
As a licensed and insured Utah asphalt contractor with more than 1,300 five-star reviews, Eckles Paving has built a reputation for dependable workmanship and customer service.
Learn more about Eckles Paving and our commercial paving experience.
Commercial Asphalt Paving in Herriman and Salt Lake County
Eckles Paving provides commercial grading, asphalt paving, parking lot construction, and pavement maintenance throughout Herriman and surrounding Salt Lake County communities.
Our service areas include Herriman, South Jordan, West Jordan, Riverton, Bluffdale, Sandy, Draper, West Valley City, Salt Lake City, and nearby communities.
From new commercial developments to existing shopping centers and business properties, our crews help businesses and contractors complete their asphalt projects.
Explore our Utah asphalt service areas to learn more.
A newly paved asphalt parking lot completed by Eckles Paving.
Related Asphalt Resources
- How Thick Should Asphalt Be?
- Asphalt Paving for Heavy Truck Traffic
- Best Time of Year for Asphalt Installation in Utah
- Should You Sealcoat, Resurface, or Replace Asphalt?
- How Utah Weather Damages Asphalt
Visit our asphalt paving tips and resources for additional information about commercial pavement construction and maintenance.
Request a Free Commercial Grading or Asphalt Paving Estimate
Planning a new restaurant, retail center, commercial development, or parking lot project in Herriman or elsewhere in Utah?
Eckles Paving provides grading and asphalt paving services to help developers and contractors prepare commercial properties for future use.
Industry Resources
- Asphalt Institute — Technical resources about asphalt construction and pavement performance.
- Federal Highway Administration — Pavement design, construction, and preservation resources.
- American Public Works Association — Resources related to public infrastructure and construction.
