Eckles Paving recently completed a new asphalt paving project at the River + Main Business Plaza on Main Street in Spanish Fork, Utah. Because River + Main is a new development, this project started with an undeveloped dirt surface rather than an existing parking lot that needed resurfacing or repair.
Our crews helped transform the site from dirt into a finished paved commercial property, creating the asphalt surfaces needed for vehicle access, parking, and everyday use as the new business plaza takes shape.
New construction paving requires careful preparation before the first load of asphalt arrives. The performance of the finished pavement depends heavily on what happens underneath it, including grading, drainage, base preparation, compaction, elevations, and the final asphalt installation.
Eckles Paving provides commercial asphalt paving throughout Utah, including new construction projects, parking lots, private roads, developments, and industrial properties. Developers and property owners can also contact Eckles Paving for a free asphalt estimate.
Fresh asphalt at the new River + Main Business Plaza.
River + Main Business Plaza Paving Project
The River + Main project is located along Main Street in Spanish Fork, Utah. As a new commercial development, the site required pavement to be constructed where there had previously been a dirt surface.
The project involved preparing the site and installing new asphalt to create the paved areas serving the business plaza.
- Project: River + Main Business Plaza
- Location: Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah
- Property type: New commercial development
- Starting condition: Dirt and unfinished site
- Service: New asphalt paving
- Purpose: Create finished paved areas for the new business plaza
Unlike resurfacing an existing parking lot, new construction paving begins by building the pavement system from the ground up.
From Dirt to Asphalt in Spanish Fork
One of the most noticeable parts of a new development is the transition from a construction site to a finished property.
Before pavement is installed, commercial developments may consist of exposed soil, construction access routes, unfinished grades, and areas that still need to be prepared for vehicle traffic.
At River + Main, the project began with dirt. The finished result required creating a stable pavement structure capable of supporting the future traffic using the business plaza.
That transformation depends on much more than simply placing black asphalt over the ground.
Why Site Preparation Matters Before Asphalt Paving
Asphalt performs best when it is installed over a properly prepared foundation.
Before paving a new commercial property, crews need to consider:
- Existing soil conditions
- Subgrade stability
- Final elevations
- Drainage
- Aggregate base
- Compaction
- Connections to concrete and surrounding pavement
- Expected vehicle traffic
If the materials underneath the asphalt move, settle, or become saturated, the finished pavement above can eventually develop cracking, depressions, or other failures.
That is why professional grading and base preparation are such important parts of new asphalt construction.
Grading a New Commercial Development
Grading establishes the shape and elevations of the future paved surface.
A commercial parking area should not be perfectly flat. Crews need to establish controlled slopes so water moves toward the appropriate drainage areas instead of collecting on the pavement.
Proper grades are also important around:
- Building entrances
- Sidewalks
- Curbs and gutters
- Concrete pads
- Roadway entrances
- Drainage structures
- Adjacent properties
On a new development such as River + Main, establishing these elevations before paving helps the asphalt connect properly with the rest of the site.
Building a Stable Base for New Asphalt
The asphalt surface is only the top portion of a pavement system.
Below the asphalt, the base helps distribute vehicle loads and provide stable support. Depending on the site and project design, crews may prepare the existing subgrade and install aggregate base before paving.
The material needs to be properly placed and compacted to create a dependable foundation.
A beautiful new asphalt surface cannot compensate for a poorly prepared base. Weak or unstable material underneath pavement can eventually contribute to settlement, cracking, and premature failure.
Compaction Is Critical Before Paving
Compaction is one of the most important parts of asphalt construction.
Before paving begins, the underlying materials need to provide a stable platform for the new pavement. Proper compaction reduces movement and helps the pavement structure support future vehicle traffic.
Compaction also matters after asphalt is placed. Rollers compact the hot asphalt to create the finished pavement surface and achieve the density required for the project.
From the dirt underneath the project to the finished asphalt above it, proper compaction plays an important role at every stage.
Installing New Asphalt at River + Main
Once the site preparation and base work were ready, asphalt paving could begin.
Fresh asphalt is delivered to the project while hot, transferred into the paving equipment, and placed across the prepared surface. Crews monitor elevations, transitions, edges, and paving conditions as the material is installed.
After placement, rollers compact the asphalt and create the finished surface.
The result at River + Main is a major visual change from the dirt construction site that existed before paving began.
New Construction Paving vs. Asphalt Resurfacing
New construction paving differs significantly from resurfacing an existing parking lot.
During resurfacing, crews work with an existing pavement structure. The project may involve milling, repairs, tack coat, and a new asphalt overlay.
New construction begins without an existing pavement surface. That places even greater importance on:
- Subgrade preparation
- Base construction
- Grading
- Drainage
- Compaction
- Pavement thickness
The goal is to create a complete pavement structure suitable for the traffic the property is expected to receive.
How Thick Should Asphalt Be for a Business Plaza?
There is no single asphalt thickness that should automatically be used for every commercial development.
The appropriate pavement design depends on factors such as:
- Vehicle types
- Traffic volume
- Delivery vehicles
- Soil conditions
- Aggregate base
- Drainage
- Intended property use
A parking area primarily serving passenger vehicles may have different pavement requirements from areas regularly used by delivery trucks or other heavy vehicles.
Our guide to how an asphalt company determines pavement thickness explains these factors in more detail.
Planning for Delivery and Commercial Traffic
Business plazas typically serve more than customer vehicles.
As tenants move into a new development, the pavement may also need to support delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, service vehicles, moving trucks, and other heavier traffic.
These vehicles can place significantly greater loads on pavement than ordinary passenger cars, particularly in concentrated areas such as entrances, dumpster locations, loading zones, and delivery routes.
Those traffic patterns should be considered when planning a new commercial pavement system.
Learn more in our guide to asphalt paving for heavy truck traffic.
Drainage Is Part of the Pavement Design
Water is one of the most important factors to manage on any asphalt property.
New development gives contractors an opportunity to establish drainage before long-term pavement problems develop.
Proper grading can direct runoff toward gutters, drains, or other designated drainage areas. When water continually collects in low spots, it can contribute to pavement deterioration and problems with underlying materials.
Eckles Paving also provides parking lot drainage services when properties need drainage improvements or corrections.
Why New Asphalt Eventually Needs Maintenance
Even properly constructed asphalt does not remain maintenance-free forever.
Once the River + Main pavement is in service, it will experience traffic, sunlight, temperature changes, moisture, winter weather, and normal aging.
Over time, a pavement maintenance plan may include:
- Routine inspections
- Crack sealing
- Sealcoating
- Parking lot restriping
- Localized asphalt repairs
Preventive maintenance is generally most useful before pavement develops widespread structural deterioration.
Utah Weather and New Asphalt Pavement
New asphalt in Spanish Fork will eventually experience the same demanding climate conditions found throughout Utah County.
Summer sunlight and heat contribute to oxidation, while winter brings snow, ice, moisture, and freezing temperatures. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can become particularly damaging once water begins reaching cracks or vulnerable areas in the pavement system.
Drainage, timely crack maintenance, and long-term pavement preservation can all help manage those conditions.
Our article on how Utah weather damages asphalt explains these issues in greater detail.
Why Commercial Developments Need Professional Asphalt Paving
Commercial pavement becomes part of the infrastructure of a property.
It needs to accommodate daily vehicle traffic while connecting appropriately with buildings, sidewalks, curbs, utilities, drainage features, entrances, and adjoining roadways.
The appearance of new asphalt matters, but the preparation underneath the pavement can have an even greater effect on long-term performance.
Working with an experienced Utah asphalt paving company helps developers coordinate those different parts of the project rather than focusing only on the finished surface.
Fresh asphalt creates the new parking and driving areas.
Commercial Asphalt Paving on Main Street in Spanish Fork
The River + Main Business Plaza adds new commercial development along Main Street in Spanish Fork, and asphalt paving is an important step in turning the construction site into a usable property.
Once paving is completed, tenants, employees, customers, service vehicles, and delivery traffic have the finished driving and parking surfaces needed for the property to operate.
Projects like River + Main demonstrate the difference between pavement maintenance and true new construction paving. Instead of preserving an existing asphalt surface, the pavement is created from the ground up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What work did Eckles Paving complete at River + Main in Spanish Fork?
Eckles Paving completed new asphalt paving for the River + Main Business Plaza on Main Street in Spanish Fork, Utah. The property was a new development that began as a dirt site before paving.
Can asphalt be installed directly over dirt?
A commercial asphalt pavement needs a properly prepared foundation. The subgrade, grading, aggregate base, drainage, and compaction should be addressed as required before asphalt is installed.
Why is grading important before paving?
Grading establishes pavement elevations and slopes, helping the finished surface connect properly with surrounding features and direct water toward appropriate drainage areas.
Why is the base underneath asphalt important?
The base provides structural support for the pavement above it. Weak or unstable underlying materials can contribute to settlement, cracking, and pavement failure.
How thick should asphalt be for a commercial development?
Asphalt thickness depends on expected traffic, vehicle types, soil conditions, base design, drainage, and other project requirements. There is no single thickness appropriate for every commercial property.
Does new asphalt need sealcoating immediately?
No. New asphalt should be given appropriate time before sealcoating is considered. Future sealcoating should be based on pavement age, condition, product recommendations, and the property’s maintenance plan.
Does Eckles Paving provide asphalt paving in Spanish Fork?
Yes. Eckles Paving provides new asphalt paving, repair, grading, milling, sealcoating, crack sealing, drainage work, and parking lot striping throughout Spanish Fork and Utah County.
Why Choose Eckles Paving for New Construction Asphalt?
Eckles Paving has more than 35 years of experience with asphalt paving and pavement construction throughout Utah.
Our crews work with developers, general contractors, commercial property owners, municipalities, HOAs, industrial facilities, schools, churches, and other organizations.
Because Eckles Paving provides grading, paving, asphalt repair, milling, drainage work, sealcoating, crack sealing, and striping, we can support properties through multiple stages of pavement construction and maintenance.
Eckles Paving is licensed and insured and has earned more than 1,300 five-star reviews.
Learn more about Eckles Paving and our experience with asphalt projects throughout Utah.
Asphalt Paving in Spanish Fork and Utah County
Eckles Paving provides asphalt paving throughout Spanish Fork and surrounding Utah County communities, including Springville, Mapleton, Salem, Payson, Provo, Orem, American Fork, Lehi, and surrounding areas.
Our crews also serve commercial and residential properties throughout the Wasatch Front and communities across Utah.
Visit our Utah asphalt service areas page to learn more about where we work.
Related Asphalt Resources
- What Should a Utah Paving Company Include in a Commercial Asphalt Estimate?
- How Does a Utah Asphalt Company Determine Asphalt Thickness?
- How Does a Utah Asphalt Company Plan Pavement for Heavy Truck Traffic?
- How Utah Weather Damages Asphalt
- What Causes Alligator Cracking in Asphalt?
You can also browse our asphalt paving tips and resources for more information about commercial paving, pavement design, maintenance, and repair.
New asphalt paving takes shape in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Request a Free Commercial Asphalt Estimate
If you are planning a new commercial development, parking lot, private road, industrial property, or other paving project in Spanish Fork or elsewhere in Utah, Eckles Paving can help with grading, preparation, and asphalt installation.
Contact Eckles Paving for a free asphalt paving estimate.
Industry Resources
- Asphalt Institute — Technical and educational information about asphalt pavement design, construction, and performance.
- Federal Highway Administration Pavements — Information about pavement construction, design, preservation, and performance.
- American Public Works Association — Resources related to pavement, infrastructure, transportation, and public works.
