9/10/25 – Ralph DeLeon, Northpark project manager, had good news to share this afternoon. Two out-of-place water lines that have slowed the Northpark expansion project for months are finally being moved out of the way.
Construction crews discovered the out-of-place pipelines during the boring operation under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks back in July. Contractors were trying to insert two 60″ steel pipelines under the tracks, in order to convey stormwater from the west side to the east and then onward to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Abandoned Water Lines Had Cascading Effects
But the utility conflicts had cascading effects. Without the twin bores, surface lanes on top of them could not be built. And without the surface lanes traffic could not be rerouted to make way for other improvements.
The pictures below show removal of the first of the two lines.
Workers begin cutting into the first pipe.Pipe section being removed from pit and……lifted out of hole……and carried away.State of pit as of 3PM on 9/10/25. Note gap in pipe on right.
It’s unclear whether that small black line on a diagonal is the second water line or a brace for the pit walls. DeLeon was not available to clarify.
However, De Leon’s email did say, “The contractor removed the 18” abandoned water line underneath the rail tracks and expects to complete extraction of the second conflict by today. … They expect to resume boring and installing the 5′ steel pipes by Friday this week.
Traffic Switch Delayed
In other news, the traffic switch initially scheduled for today and tomorrow has been delayed by a week. De Leon said, “The contractor did not get enough concrete sections built to move forward with the traffic as initially scheduled.”
The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website now says, “Beginning September 17th at 9pm and thru September 18th, the Northpark Drive Project Contractor, Harper Brothers Construction, will shift westbound traffic, between NorthPark Christian Church and Loop 494 to the newly constructed westbound lanes. The existing east bound traffic lanes will also shift onto the previous westbound traffic lanes from Loop 494 to RecNation RV & Boat Storage.”
These traffic shifts are planned to last approximately four months.
Greatly reduced. For a full-size, high-res PDF with better readability, click here.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/10/2025
2934 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250909-IMG_5382.jpg?fit=825%2C1100&ssl=11100825adminadmin2025-09-10 16:55:222025-09-10 16:59:51Major Causes of Northpark Project Slowdown Being Removed
According to Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, “Exciting plans are in motion for Edgewater Park in Kingwood!” Ramsey’s most recent newsletter says that starting in 2026, visitors can look forward to:
New trail connections
Improved access
Additional parking
A brand-new restroom facility
“And that’s just the beginning,” says Ramsey. “This is only Phase One of a three-phase project!” Future improvements will bring:
Even more trails
A playground
A public boat/canoe launch
Plans to redevelop the park were first announced in 2018 back when Kingwood was still in Precinct 4. Redistricting, permitting, budget, and wetlands issues delayed construction and forced the Precinct 3 Parks Department to rethink its plans.
Edgewater Park is located on the northeast corner of the San Jacinto West Fork and US59/Loop 494, just south of Hamblen Road.
Fourth Largest Urban Trail Network in North America
All of these upgrades are part of the Spring Creek Greenway connectivity plan. It will expand recreational opportunities across the region and create one of the largest urban trail networks in North America.
According to ChatGPT, the 40 miles of trails along Spring Creek and another 100+ miles in Kingwood would create the fourth largest urban trail network in North America. Only Calgary (600 miles), Philadelphia (400 miles) and Dallas (200 miles) have longer connected hike and bike trail networks.
Three Phases of Development Starting in Q4 2025
Edgewater Park will be developed in three phases:
Phase 1 – Regional Trail connecting under-crossing and Ross Road, parking lots and nature trail access, and a restroom. Ross Road is the westernmost road between Hamblen and the river.
Phase 2 – Additional Trail, Parking Lot, and Playground.
Phase 3 – Parking Lot and Public Boat Launch.
Heppen anticipates that Phase 1 will be bid in the 4th Quarter of this year with construction starting in the 1st Quarter of 2026.
Heppen provided this PDF showing the current plans.
Note that the plan contains four detention basins, two on each side of the utility corridor that bisects the park.
Heppen says that the ponds be shallow and have dry bottoms. The goal: let nature and the coastal grasses start to take over the bottoms to provide more of a natural feel.
Trails will wind around and over the basins and through the woods.
Heppen says that Phase 1 will form the backbone that enables future phases. It will create the final connection between the West Fork and Spring Creek Greenways. Once complete, residents will be able to use the Spring Creek Greenway from any point in Kingwood without going onto busy Hamblen Road.
Northern Parcel Will Remain Wetlands
The County owns some land north of Hamblen, too. However, at this time, Eric Heppen, PE, PMP, Precinct 3’s Director of Engineering, says the County has no plans for it at present.
Specifically, Heppen is referring to the area between Loop 494, the Laurel Springs RV Resort, Laurel Springs Lane, and Hamblen, which is dotted with cypress ponds.
Evidently, wetland considerations restrict development of that area.
Dog Park No Longer Part of Edgewater Plans
The county also originally had plans for a dog park in Edgewater. However, that has changed, too. Heppen says the county is now working with the City of Houston to find an alternate location in Kingwood.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/9/2025
2933 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250909-Edgewater-2026-Plans.jpg?fit=1100%2C719&ssl=17191100adminadmin2025-09-09 16:51:022025-09-09 19:00:51Development of Edgewater Park Restarting
9/8/25 – In the quest to build an all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, contractors for the Northpark Drive expansion project will switch traffic to accommodate new phases of construction.
Beginning September 9th at 9pm, Harper Brothers Construction will shift westbound traffic between NorthPark Christian Church and Loop 494 to the newly constructed westbound lanes.
The existing eastbound traffic lanes will also shift onto the previous westbound traffic lanes from Loop 494 to RecNation RV & Boat Storage.
Both switches are east of the railroad tracks. See below.
Greatly reduced. For a full-size, high-res PDF with better readability, click here.
During this phase of work the contractor will install additional drainage and reconstruct the existing roadway. These traffic shifts should last approximately four months.
Two utility pipelines on diagonals still remained at noon todaybut should be removed this week…with luck.
Photos from 9/8/25
I took the following photos today. They show the state of construction along Northpark from east to west. And they should help put the map above into perspective.
Looking W at Eastern end of Phase 1 (Project T-1013) toward US59. Phase II will start behind camera position and go slightly past Woodland Hills Drive (far enough for turn lanes).Contractors have demolished and removed all the concrete from the old westbound lanes (right).They continue to install drain pipes under the cleared lanes, heading east (behind the camera position).Working from the bottom up. Drain pipes being installed before surface work.
Storm-sewer crews are installing drainpipe on westbound Northpark east of 494.
After they install drainage, other crews prepare the sub-grade before pouring concrete.The sidewalk and driveway crews come next. This is near the entrance to Kings Mill. Bottom left.
The road splits at the start of the bridge (not yet built) that will eventually carry traffic over the railroad tracks and Loop 494.
On the left, note streets going in for a new development called the Enclave. It will have 100 homes on 10 acres.
Also note preparation of the sub-grade (above and below) for new surface lanes on the left that will be built between the bridge and the Enclave.
Rebar has been placed for another concrete pour as you approach the railroad tracks and Loop 494 (top of frame).Stockpiled 60″ steel drain pipes for boring under tracks.Contractors are mobilizing this week to resume boring under the tracks (from right pit to one in center).
After the two utility conflicts are removed, all bore activities should finish within two weeks.
West of Loop 494
Looking W from Loop 494 toward US59. Contractors will soon start preparing the sub-grade and paving the dirt area in the center where old lanes were removed.The Exxon Station at 59 will reportedly lose an island of pumps and part of its canopy.Grading of the north detention pond should start the week of 9/15 and continue for at least two weeks.Ditto for the south detention pond.
It’s not clear yet whether those detention ponds will be ready or this Christmas. After grading, several steps remain. They include:
Placement of a liner to retain water in the ponds
Drilling a well
Filling the ponds
Landscaping
Wouldn’t that be a wonderful gift for the community if the ponds could be ready by Christmas!
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250908-DJI_20250908122201_0017_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-09-08 17:06:572025-09-10 17:02:17Northpark Drive Lane Switches Scheduled for This Week
Major Causes of Northpark Project Slowdown Being Removed
9/10/25 – Ralph DeLeon, Northpark project manager, had good news to share this afternoon. Two out-of-place water lines that have slowed the Northpark expansion project for months are finally being moved out of the way.
Construction crews discovered the out-of-place pipelines during the boring operation under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks back in July. Contractors were trying to insert two 60″ steel pipelines under the tracks, in order to convey stormwater from the west side to the east and then onward to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Abandoned Water Lines Had Cascading Effects
But the utility conflicts had cascading effects. Without the twin bores, surface lanes on top of them could not be built. And without the surface lanes traffic could not be rerouted to make way for other improvements.
The pictures below show removal of the first of the two lines.
It’s unclear whether that small black line on a diagonal is the second water line or a brace for the pit walls. DeLeon was not available to clarify.
However, De Leon’s email did say, “The contractor removed the 18” abandoned water line underneath the rail tracks and expects to complete extraction of the second conflict by today. … They expect to resume boring and installing the 5′ steel pipes by Friday this week.
Traffic Switch Delayed
In other news, the traffic switch initially scheduled for today and tomorrow has been delayed by a week. De Leon said, “The contractor did not get enough concrete sections built to move forward with the traffic as initially scheduled.”
The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website now says, “Beginning September 17th at 9pm and thru September 18th, the Northpark Drive Project Contractor, Harper Brothers Construction, will shift westbound traffic, between NorthPark Christian Church and Loop 494 to the newly constructed westbound lanes. The existing east bound traffic lanes will also shift onto the previous westbound traffic lanes from Loop 494 to RecNation RV & Boat Storage.”
These traffic shifts are planned to last approximately four months.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/10/2025
2934 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Development of Edgewater Park Restarting
According to Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, PE, “Exciting plans are in motion for Edgewater Park in Kingwood!” Ramsey’s most recent newsletter says that starting in 2026, visitors can look forward to:
“And that’s just the beginning,” says Ramsey. “This is only Phase One of a three-phase project!” Future improvements will bring:
Plans to redevelop the park were first announced in 2018 back when Kingwood was still in Precinct 4. Redistricting, permitting, budget, and wetlands issues delayed construction and forced the Precinct 3 Parks Department to rethink its plans.
Edgewater Park is located on the northeast corner of the San Jacinto West Fork and US59/Loop 494, just south of Hamblen Road.
Fourth Largest Urban Trail Network in North America
All of these upgrades are part of the Spring Creek Greenway connectivity plan. It will expand recreational opportunities across the region and create one of the largest urban trail networks in North America.
According to ChatGPT, the 40 miles of trails along Spring Creek and another 100+ miles in Kingwood would create the fourth largest urban trail network in North America. Only Calgary (600 miles), Philadelphia (400 miles) and Dallas (200 miles) have longer connected hike and bike trail networks.
Three Phases of Development Starting in Q4 2025
Edgewater Park will be developed in three phases:
Heppen anticipates that Phase 1 will be bid in the 4th Quarter of this year with construction starting in the 1st Quarter of 2026.
Heppen provided this PDF showing the current plans.
Natural Feel
Note that the plan contains four detention basins, two on each side of the utility corridor that bisects the park.
Heppen says that the ponds be shallow and have dry bottoms. The goal: let nature and the coastal grasses start to take over the bottoms to provide more of a natural feel.
Trails will wind around and over the basins and through the woods.
Heppen says that Phase 1 will form the backbone that enables future phases. It will create the final connection between the West Fork and Spring Creek Greenways. Once complete, residents will be able to use the Spring Creek Greenway from any point in Kingwood without going onto busy Hamblen Road.
Northern Parcel Will Remain Wetlands
The County owns some land north of Hamblen, too. However, at this time, Eric Heppen, PE, PMP, Precinct 3’s Director of Engineering, says the County has no plans for it at present.
Specifically, Heppen is referring to the area between Loop 494, the Laurel Springs RV Resort, Laurel Springs Lane, and Hamblen, which is dotted with cypress ponds.
Evidently, wetland considerations restrict development of that area.
Dog Park No Longer Part of Edgewater Plans
The county also originally had plans for a dog park in Edgewater. However, that has changed, too. Heppen says the county is now working with the City of Houston to find an alternate location in Kingwood.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/9/2025
2933 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Drive Lane Switches Scheduled for This Week
Update 9/10/25 – The traffic switch has been delayed a week. See this update.
9/8/25 – In the quest to build an all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, contractors for the Northpark Drive expansion project will switch traffic to accommodate new phases of construction.
Two Four-Month-Long Traffic Switches This Week
According the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website:
Both switches are east of the railroad tracks. See below.
During this phase of work the contractor will install additional drainage and reconstruct the existing roadway. These traffic shifts should last approximately four months.
Boring Under Tracks to Resume Soon
In other news, boring will soon resume under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. Boring crews are being remobilized this week. Twin 60″ bores will convey stormwater from west of the tracks toward the Kingwood Diversion Ditch east of them. Utility conflicts had stalled boring since early July.
Photos from 9/8/25
I took the following photos today. They show the state of construction along Northpark from east to west. And they should help put the map above into perspective.
Storm-sewer crews are installing drainpipe on westbound Northpark east of 494.
The road splits at the start of the bridge (not yet built) that will eventually carry traffic over the railroad tracks and Loop 494.
Also note preparation of the sub-grade (above and below) for new surface lanes on the left that will be built between the bridge and the Enclave.
After the two utility conflicts are removed, all bore activities should finish within two weeks.
West of Loop 494
It’s not clear yet whether those detention ponds will be ready or this Christmas. After grading, several steps remain. They include:
Wouldn’t that be a wonderful gift for the community if the ponds could be ready by Christmas!
For More Information
See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website project page and a 3-week lookahead schedule posted on 9/4/25.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 9/8/25
2932 Days since Hurricane Harvey