Northpark Update: Ponds Get Deeper, Bridge Abutment Higher, Ditch Wider

4/15/2026 – In the quest the build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, there’s still much work to do. But contractors have made significant progress on Northpark in the last few weeks.

The two ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at the US59 entrance are getting deeper. Meanwhile, the bridge abutment east of the railroad tracks is getting higher. And Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark is getting wider.

Also of note: concrete for the surface lanes that will flank the bridge is creeping ever closer to the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.

See details and photos below.

Entry Ponds Deepen

Contractors are deepening the two entry ponds at US59. Last week, it appeared that they had reached the designed depth in the north pond. Then came the rains. As you can see in the photo below, it had some significant erosion. And in this photo taken this morning, it appears contractors have returned to remove more silt.

*North pond at Northpark and 59 on 4/15/26*

*Work on the south pond had paused this morning, while the focus returned to the north pond.*

It appears that contractors made significant progress on the south pond. But you can clearly see the effects of erosion from the heavy rains.

To prevent similar erosion in the future, the ponds will be lined with gunite, a form of concrete sprayed on with high-pressure hoses. That work should be completed by the end of next month.

Abutment Getting Higher

An abutment is a structure at the end of a bridge that absorbs lateral forces and moves traffic from ground level onto the clear-span portion of the bridge. Contractors are building the first of two abutments east of the railroad tracks in front of Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See below.

They started erecting walls last month. And now, they’re filling the area between them with layer after layer of stabilized sand and dirt.

*Eastern abutment as of 4/15/26*. *Looking east.*

*Reverse angle shows how dirt between the walls is being layered in and compacted.*

*Side shot shows the work is already much taller than vehicles.*

Drainage Ditch Widened

A drainage ditch (Ditch One) will take excess stormwater from Northpark and route it through a drainage ditch behind the businesses that line the north side of Northpark.

*Ditch One has been significantly widened and deepened.*

*Ditch One from ground level. Hydromulching will begin soon to protect the banks from erosion.*

UPRR Crossing

Two surface turn lanes will flank each side of the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. Below, you can see the status of their completion.

*Looking slightly E over the UPRR tracks.*

On the north (l), pavement is complete up to the last two or three feet on each side of the tracks. On the south (r) pavement also stops short, but more work still needs to be done on the surface lanes themselves.

Keep in mind after that after contractors complete paving, UPRR needs to install gates. And after that, a UPRR signal crew must make the temporary signals operational before the crossings become operational.

Loop 494

Loop 494 is virtually complete, but the Northpark intersection is not. This will be the focus of work in the near future.

*From opposite direction, you can see how wide Loop 494 will be where it approaches Northpark.*

Other News

In coming days, crews will also:

Complete patches of sidewalks skipped due to utility conflicts on the project
Install permanent traffic signals at Russell-Palmer Road and Northpark (expected completion by mid-April)
Backfilling medians in preparation for final sod and seed

Caution

Please note: Work will continue in the center median of Northpark in preparation to put traffic in its final configuration. There are and will be many obstructions and potential hazards in this area, including construction workers and vehicles.

DO NOT cross into the work zone. Make turns only from delineated cross over areas.

For More Information

Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website Northpark Overpass Project page. This includes a 3-week look-ahead schedule, plans, simulated videos of the completed project, and more.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/15/26

3151 Days since Hurricane Harvey