Northpark expansion 11.8.24

Focus of Northpark Expansion Work Moves Toward Loop 494

11/8/24 – A trip down Northpark Drive today revealed that the focus of Northpark expansion work is shifting west from Russell Palmer toward Loop 494 and US59. The project will create the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. Here’s where things stand.

Major Accomplishments since Last Northpark Post

Since my last Northpark expansion update, contractors for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 have:

  • Paved a new crossover at Russell Palmer Road
  • Removed about 1,600 feet of the of the old westbound lanes between Sherwin Williams and Loop 494
  • Begun repaving an expanded Loop 494 for about a block north and a block south of Northpark Drive to accommodate extra turn lanes.
  • Prepped the area on the north side of Northpark and west of 494 (Shell to Chick-Fil-A) for paving
  • Worked on new water connections for Northpark businesses.

See the five images below that correspond to the bullet points above.

New crossover at Russell Palmer
Facing E along Northpark near Public Storage. Concrete from old lanes removed in preparation for new surface turn lanes adjacent to bridge.
Looking S toward Northpark at new Loop 494 lanes
Facing W along Northpark toward US59 at area being prepped for paving in coming weeks
Example of water-line work.

The new water lines will enable the removal of old fire hydrants that stand in the way of roadway expansion.

Next Up for Northpark Expansion

A new look-ahead schedule posted today shows that in the next three weeks, work will include:

  • Continue working on waterlines
  • Do more dirt work from Culver’s to Chick-Fil-A
  • Install 6×5 reinforced concrete box culverts from the Quick Quack to the railroad tracks
  • Place Type C inlets on LP 494. (often used to collect runoff from large depressed areas or highway medians)
  • Place base from Culver’s to Chick-Fil-A
  • Prep driveways along west side of Loop 494 to tie into new paving
  • Prep for more paving on west side of Loop 494
  • Pour more Fast-Track concrete on west side of Loop 494
  • Mobilize to Russel Palmer to begin prepping both east- and westbound lanes from Russel Palmer to the end of the project.

Then, they’re back to adding more east- and west-bound lanes on Northpark.  

Pictures of Upcoming Work

Expect to see major work in these areas before Thanksgiving.

Looking west toward UP tracks. Culverts waiting for installation before new surface turn lanes can be constructed next to bridge over tracks.
Facing N along 494 toward Northpark. Pavement and driveways will be constructed the left of the new lanes above.
Looking west on Northpark toward Russell Palmer from over Kingwood Diversion Ditch.

For More Information

For a more detailed schedule of what will happen when, see the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website.

For a history of the project, consult the ReduceFlooding posts below.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/8/24

2628 Days since Hurricane Harvey

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