How to Pave a Parking Lot Without Shutting Down Your Business
The biggest worry we hear from business owners about paving is not cost. It is downtime. If customers cannot park, they go somewhere else. If tenants cannot get in, the phone starts ringing. The good news is that most commercial paving projects can be planned so the business stays open the entire time.
What Phased Paving Means
Phasing breaks the lot into sections and completes them one at a time. While crews work on one area, the rest of the lot stays open for parking and traffic. When that section is finished and ready for vehicles, traffic shifts and the next section begins.
It takes more coordination than closing the whole lot, but for most retail centers, offices, churches, medical buildings and industrial sites it is well worth it.
How to Plan a Phased Project
Map your traffic: Identify entrances, delivery routes, fire lanes, accessible spaces and the busiest parking areas.
Keep at least one entrance open: Phases should always leave a clear way in and out.
Protect accessible parking: If ADA spaces are in a work zone, provide temporary accessible spaces near an entrance.
Use your slow hours: Nights, weekends or early mornings can handle the sections that cannot be avoided, like main entrances.
Plan deliveries: Coordinate with vendors so trucks are not arriving at a closed loading area.
Communicate Early and Often
Most complaints during paving come from people who did not know it was happening. Let tenants, employees and regular customers know the schedule ahead of time. Post signs at entrances, share a simple map of which areas are closed each day, and give everyone a contact for questions.
Expect Some Flexibility
Weather can shift a schedule by a day or two, and new asphalt needs time before it can take traffic. Sealcoat and fresh striping need their own drying time as well. Build a little cushion into the plan and you will not be caught off guard.
Safety in Active Work Zones
Keeping a lot open means people and vehicles are near equipment. Clear barricades, cones, signage and defined walking routes are part of every phased project we run. Your crew lead should walk the setup with you before work starts each phase.
Work With a Contractor Who Plans Around You
Tolliver & Curl has been paving occupied commercial properties in Central Ohio since 1952. We build the phasing plan with you so your business keeps running. Learn more about our asphalt paving and asphalt resurfacing services, call (614) 272-7770, or request a free estimate.
