New Northpark Paving Now Stretches from One End of Project to Other

6/9/2026 – New Northpark paving now stretches from one end of the project to the other.

We aren’t anywhere close to a ribbon cutting yet. But we did reach a milestone of sorts in the expansion project to create the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. Specifically, newly paved surface lanes now stretch from US59 past Russell-Palmer Road – including across the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks.

You can’t drive on them yet. But you should be able to within a couple weeks after UnionPacific finishes installing crossing gates and the City re-programs traffic lights.

All pictures below were taken on 6/9/2026.

Last Four Feet Paved this Week

In the picture below, note the asphalt strips adjacent to the railroad where newly paved surface lanes cross the tracks.

*Once new crossing and traffic signals become active, traffic can be rerouted to new surface lanes.*

Not all the concrete work is done yet. A left-turn lane in front of the dry cleaners at Loop 494 still needs to be finished. And some cross-Northpark culverts still need to be installed in the center where the old lanes are now.

*Wider shot shows culverts, turn lane and utility work remaining at Northpark/Loop 494/UPRR.*

Contractors also still have some work to do on sidewalks/multi-purpose pathways, especially where streetlights are in the way.

*Note how path on left stops just beyond tracks.*

UnionPacific has scheduled June 23, 2026, to install the crossing gates and co-ordinate traffic signals.

East Abutment Being Paved

Farther east, contractors have started paving the east abutment for the bridge which will eventually cross the tracks and Loop 494.

*New paving and rebar being installed on eastern abutment.*

*Contractors were also busy today installing caps for the walls that will hold guardrails for the bridge.*

Medians and Entry Ponds Coming Together

Beyond the abutment, a combination of sod and grass has been planted in the median between in/and outbound lanes. Thanks to recent rains, it is already starting to turn take root and green up.

*Newly planted grass in medians begins to give you a sense of how project will look when complete.*

At US59, excavation of the north entry pond looks complete. However, contractors still have work to do on the south pond.

*Looking E from over US59. N on left. S on right.*

Heavy rains last week appear to have slowed down work on the ponds. As you can see, the north pond is still holding a significant amount of stormwater.

For More Information

Use the keyword “Northpark” to review more than 200 previous posts about the expansion project. Also consult the LakeHouston Redevelopment Authority project pages.

The Authority will hold a board meeting this Thursday at the Kingwood Community Center on 6/11/26 starting at 8am. The address: 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77345.

Here is the agenda. And here is the 36-megabyte board packet.

Harper Brothers Construction projects a completion date for the project of January 7, 2027, just seven months from now. You can expect to see a lot of activity on the bridge in coming weeks and months.

The drainage analysis for the new Regional Detention Basin (Project T-1015) is also nearing completion.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/9/2026

3206 Days since Hurricane Harvey