With more than 35 years of experience and as the paving consulting experts in Utah, we get a lot of questions. Our state is known to have an environment with weather and temperature extremes that can be hard on paved surfaces, such as parking lots and roadways. With high temperatures in the summer that top 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and sometimes heavy snow and ice in the winters that require snow removal, road and lot maintenance is a challenge for city and state leaders, not to mention local businesses.
Today we’re sharing answers to some of the most common questions our paving consulting team hears regarding parking lot construction, maintenance, and redesign.
Parking Lot FAQs
Q. How long will a newly designed and paved parking lot last?
A. That can depend on a number of variables. Many standard estimates put the timeline for the lifespan of a parking lot somewhere between 15 to 25 years, based on materials, use, and conditions. But, with the right design and materials, a newly paved parking lot can be expected to last 40 years or more — even in Utah.
Q. I have a parking lot full of cracks and potholes. Is it better to repair the lot, or would you recommend rebuilding it?
A. When a paved lot has sustained heavy damage through wear, tear and neglect, it is often better to rebuild the lot with updated materials to ensure it will last longer. New paving might be slightly more expensive, but the longer life overall (over a repaired paved surface) is often more cost effective.
Q. Can you change the design of the parking lot during an update?
A. Yes! It’s often a smart idea to make changes that will be more cost effective in the long run. We can improve the site design, and often use updated paving materials to extend the durability of the surface.
Q. What are some of the greatest challenges that your paving consulting team encounters?
A. Our extreme Utah weather has got to be a top contender for challenging conditions. The roadways and parking lots must withstand fluctuating temperatures, such as high heat followed by temperature drops in a climate that also gets snow and ice in the winter. Not only that, but the logistics of snow removal and the need for water efficient landscaping make the design a critical component of the work we do. Also, the use of heavy vehicles and high traffic areas can be a challenge.
Q. What additional improvements can be made, outside of the use of better paving materials?
A. We can redesign and streamline a parking lot or paved throughway to handle traffic and daily use. We can also add hardscaping and green-scaping design elements to beautify, maximize efficiency, and improve the aesthetics of the lot for a more pleasant experience.
Q. Will you work within a budget?
A. Yes, that’s not a problem! Ask our paving consulting team about options for the design elements.
Q. Will you review the landscape architecture?
A. Yes, that’s part of the process. We will assess the plants and hardscaping to make water wise choices that will lend to maintenance needs while beautifying the lot — and beyond, if needed.
Q. What materials are used?
A. Concrete, asphalt, recycled materials, and other pavement systems. We use top of the line building materials and stay on the leading edge of advancements within our industry.
Paving Consulting Services offered by McNeil Engineering
Did you know? We’ve been providing paving consulting services since 1984. Our services include all of the following: new parking lot design; re-engineering of existing parking lots; existing condition analysis; project scoping and opinion of probable costs; drainage and slope solutions; concrete parking structure evaluation; pavement structure analysis and design; and much more.
We’ve been the trusted experts for municipalities, schools, hospitals, property management groups, architects and religious groups.
If you have paving consulting questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to working with you!
