NORTH ATTLEBORO - Construction to relieve the space crunch in the town hall parking lot began this week.

Once the $180,000 project is complete, another six to eight parking spaces will be available in the lot, which is often full at busy times of the day. "The parking lot is in very tough shape, and we're in constant need of parking spaces," Town Administrator Mark Fisher said.

Department of public works employees began removing asphalt and wood chips on the side of the parking lot that abuts Community Field on Tuesday.

Public works staff will be working in the parking lot for the next two weeks. During that time, small portions of the lot will be closed.

However, during the week of Aug. 10, the entire lot is expected to be closed for a few days while final paving work is completed. Visitors to town hall will be asked to park next door in the horseshoe parking lot in front of Community School.

The project is among $360,000 in paving projects that were approved at May's annual town meeting.

Other lots scheduled for paving include the Church Street municipal parking lot, which will cost $30,000; the department of public works parking yard, which will cost $75,000; and the Kelley Boulevard and Central Fire Station parking lots, which will cost $75,000.

The town hall project calls for the removal of the island in the center of the parking lot, which will allow the addition of another row of parking spaces. A walkway from the side steps at Community School to Community Field also will be installed.

Last week, officials feared the town hall parking lot project would have to be postponed for a year because of contract issues. Because visitors will be asked to park in the Community School lot, the project had to be completed while the school is out on summer vacation.

However, the contract issues were resolved and the project was given the go-ahead on Monday.