Northpark Drive expansion project lane switches

Northpark Drive Lane Switches Scheduled for This Week

Update 9/10/25 – The traffic switch has been delayed a week. See this update.

9/8/25 – In the quest to build an all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, contractors for the Northpark Drive expansion project will switch traffic to accommodate new phases of construction.

Two Four-Month-Long Traffic Switches This Week

According the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website:

  • Beginning September 9th at 9pm, Harper Brothers Construction will shift westbound traffic between NorthPark Christian Church and Loop 494 to the newly constructed westbound lanes.
  • The existing eastbound traffic lanes will also shift onto the previous westbound traffic lanes from Loop 494 to RecNation RV & Boat Storage.

Both switches are east of the railroad tracks. See below.

Greatly reduced. For a full-size, high-res PDF with better readability, click here.

During this phase of work the contractor will install additional drainage and reconstruct the existing roadway.  These traffic shifts should last approximately four months.

Boring Under Tracks to Resume Soon

In other news, boring will soon resume under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. Boring crews are being remobilized this week. Twin 60″ bores will convey stormwater from west of the tracks toward the Kingwood Diversion Ditch east of them. Utility conflicts had stalled boring since early July.

Two utility pipelines on diagonals still remained at noon today but should be removed this week…with luck.

Photos from 9/8/25

I took the following photos today. They show the state of construction along Northpark from east to west. And they should help put the map above into perspective.

Looking W at Eastern end of Phase 1 (Project T-1013) toward US59. Phase II will start behind camera position and go slightly past Woodland Hills Drive (far enough for turn lanes).
Contractors have demolished and removed all the concrete from the old westbound lanes (right).
They continue to install drain pipes under the cleared lanes, heading east (behind the camera position).
Working from the bottom up. Drain pipes being installed before surface work.

Storm-sewer crews are installing drainpipe on westbound Northpark east of 494. 

After they install drainage, other crews prepare the sub-grade before pouring concrete.
The sidewalk and driveway crews come next. This is near the entrance to Kings Mill. Bottom left.

The road splits at the start of the bridge (not yet built) that will eventually carry traffic over the railroad tracks and Loop 494.

On the left, note streets going in for a new development called the Enclave. It will have 100 homes on 10 acres.

Also note preparation of the sub-grade (above and below) for new surface lanes on the left that will be built between the bridge and the Enclave.

Rebar has been placed for another concrete pour as you approach the railroad tracks and Loop 494 (top of frame).
Stockpiled 60″ steel drain pipes for boring under tracks.
Contractors are mobilizing this week to resume boring under the tracks (from right pit to one in center).

After the two utility conflicts are removed, all bore activities should finish within two weeks.

West of Loop 494

Looking W from Loop 494 toward US59.
Contractors will soon start preparing the sub-grade and paving the dirt area in the center where old lanes were removed.
The Exxon Station at 59 will reportedly lose an island of pumps and part of its canopy.
Grading of the north detention pond should start the week of 9/15 and continue for at least two weeks.
Ditto for the south detention pond.

It’s not clear yet whether those detention ponds will be ready or this Christmas. After grading, several steps remain. They include:

  • Placement of a liner to retain water in the ponds
  • Drilling a well
  • Filling the ponds
  • Landscaping

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful gift for the community if the ponds could be ready by Christmas!

For More Information

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website project page and a 3-week lookahead schedule posted on 9/4/25.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/8/25

2932 Days since Hurricane Harvey