Northpark Expansion

Northpark Surface Lanes across UPRR Tracks Virtually Complete

5/23/26 – Earlier this week, contractors for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 finished paving the surface lanes across the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks. Two surface lanes both east- and westbound will border the bridge being built over the tracks and Loop 494. They will provide turning capabilities at the intersection as well as access to local businesses.

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Note fresh pavement in lower right.

All that remains to be paved is a narrow strip just a few feet wide adjacent to the tracks (see above). The strips will be paved after crossing gates and traffic signals are installed and coordinated with other railroad crossings up and down the tracks.

That means the only unpaved section of roadway in Phase I (not counting the bridge) is a tiny section in front of the dry cleaners on the west side of Loop 494 (see below). Light poles were finally cleared out of there this week and paving was scheduled for today. However, heavy rains disrupted that.

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Last unpaved area is in lower right corner of intersection.

Elsewhere along Phase I:

  • Work continues on excavating and lining the entry ponds that bracket Northpark at US59
  • Contractors are busy installing light poles
  • New traffic control signal control box at Russell Palmer has been installed and should be operational soon
  • Work on Loop 494 appears complete

The last major item, construction of the bridge, will pick back up when the new surface lanes become operational and traffic can be moved out of the center lanes.

See pictures below.

Photos Taken May 16-23

Work on north entry pond on 5/16/26
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Excavation of south entry pond continues, but was delayed by heavy rains this week.
New temporary traffic signal being installed in rain on morning of 5/20/26 at Northpark/Loop 494.
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Old traffic signal pole being removed on same day from last area to be paved.

 Four traffic officers kept traffic moving smoothly during the change of signals.

The concrete junction boxes staged lower center/right of the image above will connect drainage across Northpark under the old roadway once traffic switches from the center to the new feeder roads.

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Ditch One will be hydro-mulched when contractor returns to hydro-much road shoulders and plant sod in medians of Northpark
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Paving has been completed up to the eastern bridge abutment and pavement underlayment on abutment itself has started.
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Work on Loop 494 is finished except for traffic lights and crossing gates. Contractors are still using the closed off section to stage equipment.

Street Light Installation

Street light foundations usually consist of an 8’ deep concrete column. Contractors use an auger to bore the hole. Then they install rebar and pour concrete. The process goes quickly.

However, due to right-of-way constraints, Northpark has six locations where storm water laterals run approximately four feet below grade behind the curb. So, typical street light foundations won’t have enough clearance.  Instead, they use “spread-foot foundations” at those locations. 

Spread-foot foundations run parallel to grade, horizontally instead of vertically.  If you look at the image below, you will see most of the foundation will be underneath the adjacent sidewalk.

Northpark expansion light pole foundation
 In parts of the City that experience frequent inundation, such foundations are common because they can resist the forces of floodwater pushing against them.

Majority of the street light foundations on Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive between Bagby and Shepherd Drive are spread foot.

A Look Ahead at Bridge Construction

I asked Project Manage Ralph De Leon when he expected bridge construction to pick back up. He replied, “As soon as the feeder roads are open +/- June 23rd.   Ford, Knox, Royal Crossing and Northpark are interconnected.  All four intersections have been updated, and the testing is currently underway.  All four have to be operational before UPRR will let us open the Northpark feeder roads.”

For More Information

For more information, search this website using the key word “Northpark,” visit the project pages at LakeHoustonRA.com. Or consult this 3-week lookahead schedule.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/23/26

3189 Days since Hurricane Harvey