Northpark Bridge Construction Plan Changes

11/23/25 – Contractors for the Northpark expansion project will now start constructing piers for the bridge over the UnionPacific Railroad tracks and Loop 494 on the east instead of the west, as previously announced. Photos taken today show equipment that will be used to drill the piers pre-positioned near Public Storage.

Elsewhere along Northpark since the last update a week ago:

An additional newly paved inbound lane between US59 and Exxon now shows how wide Northpark will be.
The drainage junction box on the west side of the UP tracks is complete and covered, although the box still needs to be connected to 8′ culvert coming under Loop 494.
Many, but not all, of the new driveways to businesses on the north/outbound lanes have now been completed.

As always, the pictures tell the story. I took all photos below today, Sunday, November 23, 2025.

Full Width Now Visible by Exxon

New concrete near 59 gives one a feeling for just how wide Northpark will be for most of its length. It’s not all open yet, but it won’t be long.

*Looking west toward the junction of US59 and Northpark.*

Here’s a wider shot from the reverse angle.

*Farther east, you can see the area in the middle where the bridge will start to elevate* *by PNC bank* *near bottom of frame.*

Drainage Junction Box West of Tracks Now Complete and Covered

The drainage junction box west of the UP tracks is now complete and covered. However, before Loop 494 paving can be completed, contractors must still install a short section of 8′ culvert. Boring under the tracks was a major milestone and so is the completion of the first junction box.

*Buried junction box is to right of excavator.*

*The steel fin poking up in the oval marks the edge of the junction box.*

Next, contractors will excavate the area between the red lines and connect the junction box with culvert already running under Loop 494. Then…

*Contractors will next complete this last section of Loop 494, which should greatly relieve traffic congestion.*

*The junction box east of the tracks is virtually complete. More good news!*

It, too, will need to be connected, and then drainage will reach all the way from the entry ponds to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. However, before new surface lanes can be put over the tracks, electricity to the UPRR crossing signal must be rerouted. See below.

*Instead of power going to the signals from 3 to 2 to 1, UP must reroute it from 4 to 1.*

Ralph De Leon, the Northpark project manager indicated that Pole #4 is already energized so this is primarily just a rewiring exercise. However, UP will not give him a definite date to plan around. They say they hope to get to it sometime “next year.”

Where Bridge Construction Will Now Start

Looking farther east, you can see more surface lane prep on the left, fresh concrete with curbs and drainage inlets completed on the right, and equipment being mobilized for drilling bridge piers in the middle.

*Looking E from in front of Self-U Storage*. *Friendswood’s new Northpark Enclave subdivision on right.*

*Equipment that will be used to start drilling piers stationed in front of Public Storage (left)*

*The telescoping Kelly Bar that will be used to hydro-excavate 100-foot deep holes for the piers*

The drilling will be a step and repeat process with rebar and concrete being inserted into each hole before moving on to the next. That will keep the holes from collapsing as work proceeds.

Slightly farther east, you can see where the bridge will end and the surface lanes will pinch in

*Where surface traffic will eventually merge with bridge traffic.*

More news to follow soon about the area above. Between normal traffic, Northpark contractors, and Enclave contractors, this area is getting crowded. Use extra caution.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/23/25

3008 Days since Harvey

Full Width Now Visible by Exxon

Drainage Junction Box West of Tracks Now Complete and Covered

Where Bridge Construction Will Now Start

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