Design Outdoor Storage Construction in Irving, TX

Blackland Prairie clay absorbs moisture and expands during wet seasons, then shrinks and cracks during droughts — producing 3 to 5 inches of vertical movement in shallow soil horizons. That movement destroys conventional asphalt or concrete without subgrade stabilization. For outdoor storage yards handling heavy truck and equipment loads, we specify lime or cement stabilization of the clay subgrade to neutralize the swell potential, followed by a granular base course and a pavement section designed for the specific axle loads and traffic volume at the site.

Yes. The City of Irving requires a grading and drainage permit for site improvements above a minimum disturbed area, and projects disturbing more than one acre also require a TCEQ Construction General Permit with a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Sites that connect to a state highway also need a TxDOT driveway permit. We submit all required permit packages as part of our project development process and maintain all required stormwater documentation throughout construction.

Sites within the DFW Airport airspace influence area may be subject to FAA Part 77 surface elevation limits on structures and lighting poles. If proposed perimeter fencing, lighting standards, or storage structures exceed Part 77 elevation thresholds, an FAA aeronautical study is required before construction. We review the FAA's airport influence area mapping during preconstruction for any Irving site near the airport boundary and initiate the aeronautical study process if it is required.

A typical outdoor storage yard of 1 to 5 acres — including subgrade stabilization, paving, drainage, perimeter fence, and lighting — generally requires 8 to 16 weeks from permit issuance to completion, depending on site size, soil conditions, and weather. The geotechnical and civil engineering coordination during preconstruction adds 4 to 8 weeks before the permit submission, so clients should plan for a total timeline of 12 to 24 weeks from initial scope definition to operational yard.

Both materials can perform well on Irving clay sites when the subgrade is properly stabilized and the pavement section is designed for the actual loads. Concrete is generally preferred for areas subject to the highest concentrated loads — crane mat storage, loaded lowboy staging, and building dock aprons — because it resists rutting and surface deformation better than asphalt under heavy point loads. Asphalt is sometimes used for lower-load areas or perimeter driving lanes because it is easier to repair locally if subgrade movement occurs. We work with the civil engineer to specify the appropriate pavement type for each zone of the yard based on the expected traffic and loading.

General Contractors of Irving builds outdoor storage yards throughout Irving, Las Colinas, Grand Prairie, Coppell, Farmers Branch, Carrollton, and the DFW Airport south perimeter area. Our highest concentration of outdoor storage work is in the I-635 industrial corridor, the Grand Prairie border industrial area along Belt Line Road, and the freight and cargo properties near DFW Airport's southern service roads.