Crucial Operations Begin In Northpark Expansion

5/8/25 – Several crucial operations that are part of the Northpark expansion project should soon begin in the quest to create the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. Contractors are about to begin:

Boring under the the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks to connect the drainage on either side
Installing two junction boxes west of Loop 494 on the south side of Northpark to convey stormwater to the north side.
Relocating an electrical distribution box next to Exxon at US59.
Modifying the Exxon station itself.

Separately, contractors have already started clearing surface lanes on the south side of Northpark between Loop 494 and Marco’s Pizza. The lanes will carry traffic next to the bridge going over 494 and the UPRR tracks.

This post will also discuss utility-related delays to date and the timetable for completing project components. Those include Phase II, a new detention basin, and widening of the northernmost portion of the Kingwood Diversion ditch.

Prep for Bore Under Tracks Started Today

Preparation for the bore under the tracks started today. An auger started drilling holes that will define the edges of the bore pit.

The pit will contain a steel framework to protect contractors from cave-ins as they work.

*See line of holes dug by auger and covered by boards*.

Junction Boxes for Drainage West of Loop 494

The Northpark expansion plan calls for two junction boxes to link culverts on both sides of Northpark – one by Sonic, the other by the dry cleaners on the corner of Loop 494.

*Looking west toward 59. The junction boxes will collect stormwater from the south (left) side of Northpark and convey it under the street to the north side.*

Contractors will build the junction boxes first. Then they will link 6′ x 6′ reinforced concrete culverts by digging trenches across Northpark in stages. Each stage will disrupt traffic on one side of the road while traffic is routed to the other.

Changes near Exxon Station

There are two major operations closer to 59 in the Northpark expansion plan. First, Entergy must move an electrical junction box out of the right of way near the Exxon station.

Second, Exxon will lose part of its canopy and one pump island. Both encroach on the right of way.

*Electrical box is circled. Dotted line shows **approximate** *right-of-way*.* *Setback appears wider in the foreground because of wide-angle-lens distortion.*

Surface Lanes East of 494 on South Side of Northpark

In the last few days, contractors have begun clearing underbrush for what will become two surface lanes on the south side of the bridge over 494 and the railroad tracks. See below.

*The tall pine trees are too large to move and will likely go to a sawmill.*

Perhaps for the first time, one can truly appreciate how wide Northpark expansion will be compared to the four lanes we had. See below.

*Looking E. A six-lane bridge will taper down to ground level through this area with two surface lanes on each side.*

This road will move some traffic!

194 Days of Delays to Date

Due to multiple utility-related delays, the Phase I Northpark expansion project has slipped 194 days to date. The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 board reviewed that this morning.

I extracted the 18 relevant pages from the 473-page board packet for you. They detail hundreds of unexpected utility delays.

The screen capture below shows the financial impact of LHRA/TIRZ 10 projects on the City of Houston’s Capital Improvement Plan.

It also shows expected completion dates. Phase I should wrap up next year.

Phase II should finish in 2028. It includes the portion of Northpark expansion that extends past Woodland Hills.

A detention basin, previously part of Phase II has become its own project to accelerate it. That will reduce flood risk sooner for residents along Bens Branch and the Diversion Ditch.

The detention basin project includes widening of the northernmost portion of the diversion ditch. It should start next year and finish in 2027.