Outlines of Full Northpark Expansion Now Visible

9/28/25 – The final outlines of the Northpark expansion project are now fully visible – much like a skyscraper after being framed out (except Northpark is horizontal). Even though all the concrete is not yet poured, yesterday, I saw for the first time what ten lanes will look like.

For most of its length, Northpark will have six lanes (3 inbound and 3 outbound). But the area around the railroad tracks and Loop 494 will expand to 10 lanes. In addition to the six lanes that go over a bridge, contractors are building two surface lanes on both sides of the bridge for traffic turning left and right.

In other news, boring under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks has resumed. On a Saturday afternoon, crews were placing two 60″ steel pipes under the tracks to convey stormwater from west to east. See pictures below.

Photos Taken on Saturday, 9/27/25

I took all the photos below on a Saturday afternoon, shortly after lunchtime.

*Looking east toward tracks and Loop 494 from Whataburger*

*Opposite direction from same location. Looking toward US59.*

*Looking east over Loop 494. Boring operation (lower left) has held up completion of surface lanes on north side (left) of shot.*

The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority’s 3-week lookahead construction schedule indicates that boring will continue 24/7 at least through 10/11.

*Looking W toward US59 over boring operation.*

In the picture above note that only three large sections of stockpiled pipe remain. Originally, there were ten.

*A look inside bore pit where pipe is being forced from east to west under tracks.*

*However, neither pipe has yet reached the receiving pit on the east side of the tracks.*

*Looking west from over Russell Palmer Road. Contractors are preparing the sub grade for more concrete.*

*Still looking west from near Italiano’s.*

Impact of Construction on Small Businesses

Note in the shot above how westbound traffic cannot turn left into the strip center that contains several restaurants. The parking lot is practically empty on a day and at a time when it should be teeming.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies found that “Small businesses often suffer significant revenue declines (10-20 % or more) during and after disruptive construction.”

So, please continue to support Northpark businesses during this trying time.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/28/2025

2952 Days since Hurricane Harvey