October 26, 2023 – The $100 million Northpark Drive expansion project in Kingwood is making steady progress. But in some areas, the action is behind-the-scenes and out of sight for commuters. Let me describe the key highlights for this last week in October. Let’s start west of US59 and move east.
Sidewalk Extension to Kingwood College
Contractors have begun building sidewalks that will eventually connect Kingwood with Kingwood College. This will enable students who cannot afford vehicles to walk or ride bikes to school, saving money that they can put toward their educations. (Most of us can remember what that was like!) Right now, contractors are working to lay-out the forms west of the US59, on TxDOT right-of-way. The sidewalks will extend westward toward Rock Creek on both the north and south sides of the road.
Looking ENE from west of 59 along the north side of Northpark.Note new bed for sidewalk.Same direction but looking at the beginning of a new sidewalk along the south side of Northpark.
Brush Piles Removed
At the US59/Northpark intersection, contractors have removed huge brush piles and taken soil samples in preparation for excavation of detention basins. However, some trees still need to be transplanted, especially south of Northpark.
Huge brush piles have been removed. Looking S from E of 59 at where north entry pond will go.
Entry Pond Drainage Pipe
Contractors are installing a 12′ waterline on the north side of Northpark to take stormwater from the two new entry ponds at 59 toward Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Looking west toward 59. Note excavation for pipe on the N (right) side of Northpark.
Tree Transplantation
Between 59 and 494, contractors have begun transplanting trees in preparation for widening the street.
Railroad Agreement and Road Closure
The UnionPacific railroad and City of Houston have an interlocal agreement going before City Council on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The agreement provides for the contractor’s right-of-entry and will allow private utilities to relocate their facilities now, in advance of the reconstruction of two at-grade crossings. Once approved by the City, progress in that area should quickly become more visible. Ralph De Leon, Northpark Project Manager, says he has been working to clear this hurdle since 2015!
When construction begins, UP will need to close Northpark at some point for three days to replace a section of track and update crossing signals. The new signals will provide better integration with other crossings up and down the track.
Widening of Ditch 1
Behind Public Storage, contractors are beginning to construct the new outfall, and clear and grub “Ditch 1” for more than 800 feet. This will help channel runoff down to Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. It will create an alternate route to evacuate excess stormwater that collects in the detention basins at the US59 Northpark entry. Ditch 1 will parallel Northpark behind the businesses on the north side of the street.
Looking east atDitch 1 north of Northpark. It is being widened to 40 feet.
Water Main Conflict Resolved
Just past Russell-Palmer, the conflict with a church water main has finally been solved. The City approved a plan to reroute the water under the 6’x8′ box culverts being installed in the center ditch. Once rerouted, contractors will go back and install the missing sections of culvert. They will also place a concrete collar around the splice in the sections of culvert to seal it..
Detention Capacity Expansion
Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity of Ditch 1 north of Northpark. They’re also working on solutions to distribute water between Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, so as not to overwhelm the capacity of either.
Phase II Kicking Off in January
Planning for Phase II of the project (east of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch) has begun. Engineers are examining designs for a pedestrian tunnel near Glade Valley. The tunnel would accommodate extra wide wheelchairs used by clients at the Village Learning Center who shuttle between the Center and jobs along Northpark.
Detail from Diversion Ditch to Woodland Hills. For complete, higher res version, see below.
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 will hold two public meetings. The first is scheduled for January 11, 2024, at the Kingwood Community Center to discuss Phase II and solicit input from other groups and residents.
Additionally, the Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity on the north side of Northpark Drive at Ben’s Branch in order to reduce flooding further south on Ben’s Branch. Potential solutions include detention basins and diverting more water down the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The Diversion Ditch is being expanded as part of a separate project.
For More Information
The Northpark expansion project has two purposes:
Reduce traffic congestion/commute times
Create an all-weather evacuation route for 70,000 people who might be affected by floods or train mishaps.
You can review progress of the job by browsing these previous ReduceFlooding.com posts:
NWS cautions that wildfires can leave lasting effects on the landscape and create a heightened risk of flooding for years.
Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially in and near steep terrain.
In some areas, where the fire burned hot enough or long enough, soils develop a layer that actually repels water, like rain on pavement. Rainfall normally absorbed by the forest canopy and vegetative debris on the ground will instead quickly run off.
Because of this, much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood, and the potential for debris flows increases with the loss of plant material that holds the soil in place.
A good rule of thumb is: “If you can look uphill from where you are and see a burnt-out area, you are at risk.”
Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides. They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees – and sometimes, homes or vehicles. You’ll often hear “debris flows” called “mudslides” or “mudflows”. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.
What Causes Debris Flow?
Debris flows occur most commonly during intense rain after wildfires. A debris flow doesn’t need a long rain or a saturated slope. It can start on a dry slope after only a few minutes of intense rain.
“Intense” rain means a burst of rain at a fast rate, about half an inch in an hour. With debris flows, the rainfall rate matters more than total rainfall.
Why are Debris Flows so Dangerous?
Debris flows are fast and unpredictable. They can travel faster than you can run – and they can catch up to your car! Also, no one can say precisely where a debris flow will start or where it will go. It may begin in a stream channel, then jump out and spread through a neighborhood. A debris flow may happen where others have occurred, or in a place that has never seen one before.
Relationship to Drought
Droughts often create fuel for fires. Not long ago, SE Texas was in an extreme drought. Moderate rains recently may make it feel as though the drought is over, but in reality, we are still officially in a severe drought.
FEMA warns that it can take up to FIVE years after a fire for the landscape to restore itself enough to reduce flood risk.
Still skeptical? Check out this BBC story about rainfall triggering flood warnings FOUR years after wildfires devastated parts of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
All the more reason to be cautious when camping or burning brush.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/2023
2248 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231025-Screenshot-2023-10-25-at-5.07.04%E2%80%AFPM.jpg?fit=1100%2C645&ssl=16451100adminadmin2023-10-25 18:02:002023-10-26 06:49:35Why Floods Often Follow Fires
In fact, there seemed to be twice as many machines as they had then. And there were no lines! Gee, I wonder where all those machines came from and why they actually worked. But I guess we will never know. The county is still fighting to keep those records secret.
The lack of major malfunctions seemed to have everyone in courteous and pleasant moods.
I like the new system – which is actually the old system – where elected officials are in charge of elections instead of appointed screwups with no experience.
Let’s hope our luck holds and the next ten days are like today.
For More Information
A wide variety of information about the election can be found at HarrisVotes.com. For instance:
Remember, we have county-wide voting now. So if by chance, you encounter a long line, you can vote at another location.
And remember to breathe when you check in. In the last election, a number of dead people voted. So, breathing is one of the screening tools now.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/24/2023
2247 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Early-Voting-Locations.jpg?fit=1100%2C636&ssl=16361100adminadmin2023-10-24 17:10:162023-10-24 17:37:19Vote: Doors are Unlocked, They Still Have Paper and Machines are Working
Northpark Expansion Project Moving Forward on Multiple Fronts
October 26, 2023 – The $100 million Northpark Drive expansion project in Kingwood is making steady progress. But in some areas, the action is behind-the-scenes and out of sight for commuters. Let me describe the key highlights for this last week in October. Let’s start west of US59 and move east.
Sidewalk Extension to Kingwood College
Contractors have begun building sidewalks that will eventually connect Kingwood with Kingwood College. This will enable students who cannot afford vehicles to walk or ride bikes to school, saving money that they can put toward their educations. (Most of us can remember what that was like!) Right now, contractors are working to lay-out the forms west of the US59, on TxDOT right-of-way. The sidewalks will extend westward toward Rock Creek on both the north and south sides of the road.
Brush Piles Removed
At the US59/Northpark intersection, contractors have removed huge brush piles and taken soil samples in preparation for excavation of detention basins. However, some trees still need to be transplanted, especially south of Northpark.
Entry Pond Drainage Pipe
Contractors are installing a 12′ waterline on the north side of Northpark to take stormwater from the two new entry ponds at 59 toward Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Tree Transplantation
Between 59 and 494, contractors have begun transplanting trees in preparation for widening the street.
Railroad Agreement and Road Closure
The UnionPacific railroad and City of Houston have an interlocal agreement going before City Council on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. The agreement provides for the contractor’s right-of-entry and will allow private utilities to relocate their facilities now, in advance of the reconstruction of two at-grade crossings. Once approved by the City, progress in that area should quickly become more visible. Ralph De Leon, Northpark Project Manager, says he has been working to clear this hurdle since 2015!
When construction begins, UP will need to close Northpark at some point for three days to replace a section of track and update crossing signals. The new signals will provide better integration with other crossings up and down the track.
Widening of Ditch 1
Behind Public Storage, contractors are beginning to construct the new outfall, and clear and grub “Ditch 1” for more than 800 feet. This will help channel runoff down to Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. It will create an alternate route to evacuate excess stormwater that collects in the detention basins at the US59 Northpark entry. Ditch 1 will parallel Northpark behind the businesses on the north side of the street.
Water Main Conflict Resolved
Just past Russell-Palmer, the conflict with a church water main has finally been solved. The City approved a plan to reroute the water under the 6’x8′ box culverts being installed in the center ditch. Once rerouted, contractors will go back and install the missing sections of culvert. They will also place a concrete collar around the splice in the sections of culvert to seal it..
Detention Capacity Expansion
Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity of Ditch 1 north of Northpark. They’re also working on solutions to distribute water between Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch, so as not to overwhelm the capacity of either.
Phase II Kicking Off in January
Planning for Phase II of the project (east of the Kingwood Diversion Ditch) has begun. Engineers are examining designs for a pedestrian tunnel near Glade Valley. The tunnel would accommodate extra wide wheelchairs used by clients at the Village Learning Center who shuttle between the Center and jobs along Northpark.
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 will hold two public meetings. The first is scheduled for January 11, 2024, at the Kingwood Community Center to discuss Phase II and solicit input from other groups and residents.
Additionally, the Engineers are studying different scenarios to increase the detention capacity on the north side of Northpark Drive at Ben’s Branch in order to reduce flooding further south on Ben’s Branch. Potential solutions include detention basins and diverting more water down the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. The Diversion Ditch is being expanded as part of a separate project.
For More Information
The Northpark expansion project has two purposes:
You can review progress of the job by browsing these previous ReduceFlooding.com posts:
For more information, consult the LHRA/TIRZ 10 website.
For a schematic diagram of Phase II (Russell-Palmer to Woodland Hills and beyond, see below.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/26/23
2249 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Why Floods Often Follow Fires
FEMA, USGS, and the National Weather Service (NWS) all have posted stories about floods that often follow fires. But WHY do they?
This NWS graphic tells the story.
About the Danger
NWS cautions that wildfires can leave lasting effects on the landscape and create a heightened risk of flooding for years.
Locations downhill and downstream from burned areas are highly susceptible to Flash Flooding and Debris Flows, especially in and near steep terrain.
In some areas, where the fire burned hot enough or long enough, soils develop a layer that actually repels water, like rain on pavement. Rainfall normally absorbed by the forest canopy and vegetative debris on the ground will instead quickly run off.
Because of this, much less rainfall is required to produce a flash flood, and the potential for debris flows increases with the loss of plant material that holds the soil in place.
What Is a Debris Flow?
Debris flows are fast-moving, deadly landslides. They are powerful mixtures of mud, rocks, boulders, entire trees – and sometimes, homes or vehicles. You’ll often hear “debris flows” called “mudslides” or “mudflows”. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but to scientists, each is a different kind of landslide and debris flows are the most powerful and dangerous of the three.
What Causes Debris Flow?
Debris flows occur most commonly during intense rain after wildfires. A debris flow doesn’t need a long rain or a saturated slope. It can start on a dry slope after only a few minutes of intense rain.
“Intense” rain means a burst of rain at a fast rate, about half an inch in an hour. With debris flows, the rainfall rate matters more than total rainfall.
Why are Debris Flows so Dangerous?
Debris flows are fast and unpredictable. They can travel faster than you can run – and they can catch up to your car! Also, no one can say precisely where a debris flow will start or where it will go. It may begin in a stream channel, then jump out and spread through a neighborhood. A debris flow may happen where others have occurred, or in a place that has never seen one before.
Relationship to Drought
Droughts often create fuel for fires. Not long ago, SE Texas was in an extreme drought. Moderate rains recently may make it feel as though the drought is over, but in reality, we are still officially in a severe drought.
FEMA warns that it can take up to FIVE years after a fire for the landscape to restore itself enough to reduce flood risk.
Earlier this week, the AP reported a story about three Texans killed in flash flooding that followed a New Mexico wildfire.
Still skeptical? Check out this BBC story about rainfall triggering flood warnings FOUR years after wildfires devastated parts of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
All the more reason to be cautious when camping or burning brush.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/25/2023
2248 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Vote: Doors are Unlocked, They Still Have Paper and Machines are Working
I just voted in record time. I drove to the polling place, parked, voted, and returned home in 22 minutes – door to door.
The doors to the polling place were actually unlocked when I arrived 4PM. They had plenty of paper. And both the voting machine and scanner worked.
I encountered none of the problems I experienced during the last election.
In fact, there seemed to be twice as many machines as they had then. And there were no lines! Gee, I wonder where all those machines came from and why they actually worked. But I guess we will never know. The county is still fighting to keep those records secret.
The lack of major malfunctions seemed to have everyone in courteous and pleasant moods.
I like the new system – which is actually the old system – where elected officials are in charge of elections instead of appointed screwups with no experience.
Let’s hope our luck holds and the next ten days are like today.
For More Information
A wide variety of information about the election can be found at HarrisVotes.com. For instance:
Here is a map of early voting locations in the northern part of the county.
Remember, we have county-wide voting now. So if by chance, you encounter a long line, you can vote at another location.
And remember to breathe when you check in. In the last election, a number of dead people voted. So, breathing is one of the screening tools now.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/24/2023
2247 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.