Northpark Bridge Work Begins

3/15/26 – Work on the Northpark bridge that will go over the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks and Loop 494 began in earnest this week. Contractors began assembling “tubes” made out of rebar that will stretch far underground to form supports for the bridge.

Also an auger has arrived that will soon begin digging holes for the piers. A giant crane will then lift the rebar assemblies into the holes.

How Northpark Bridge Supports Will Be Built

Slurry in the holes will keep them from collapsing in on themselves. Then contractors will pump cement to the bottom of the shaft. The density of the cement will displace the slurry, pushing it up and out of the holes where it will be recaptured.

Contractors will build 43 piers with the longest stretching 85 feet from far underground to the bottom of the bridge.

All photos below were taken on Sunday morning, March 15, 2026.

Abutment area on east side of 494 for northpark bridge — Looking west. The area in the foreground will have retaining walls called abutments. They will support the embankments at the end of the bridge. Farther down toward US59, piers will support the bridge.

*Augur on right will begin drilling holes for the piers that support the center span of the bridge. Crane on left will place rebar tubes into the holes.*

*Close up of the business end of the augur.*

*Rebar tubes that will reinforce concrete pumped into the holes.*

*This crane will place the rebar tubes in the holes for the piers.*

*The other end of the six-lane bridge will “land” between What-a-Burger and PNC Bank west of 494 in the area where you see the dirt.*

*Looking east from over US59. The bridge will eventually stretch from one end of the dirt area in the center to the other and create an all-weather evacuation route across Loop 494 and the UPRR tracks.*

*Pavement on surface roads is creeping closer to the UPRR tracks. Once the two surface lanes on either side of the bridge are in place, the vertical work on the bridge can begin.*

UPRR is still working on permanent crossing gates that will guard the sections of the tracks with the concrete inserts. If you look closely in the picture above, you can see a UPRR worker with an orange vest working in a controller cabinet north/left of the track insert.

Other News: Center Curbs, Entry Ponds and Enclave

In other Northpark news, contractors have completed the center curbs that will stretch down Northpark. Eventually, the area between the curbs will be filled with concrete.