10/10/25 – Barring weather delays, more unforeseen utility conflicts, and UnionPacific delays, work on the Northpark bridge over UP’s road tracks and Loop 494 could begin as early as December 2025.
Side Walls for Abutments Already Fabricated
According to Ralph De Leon, the project manager for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10, all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together. Speaking to the Kingwood Executive Group on Wednesday 10/8/2025, De Leon mapped out the next steps.
Fabrication of the cement side walls for the bridge ramps has finished. The cement panels are in a storage yard waiting for transport to the site.
They look much like the side panels for the ramps that lead up to the US59 bridges over Kingwood and Northpark Drives. They contain raised details of pine trees to fit with the Livable Forest motif.
Detail of side wall surface.Stacked panels in storage yard
But several things need to happen before the walls for the abutments go up. Abutments support the lateral pressure of an arch or span at the ends of a bridge.
Additional Preparatory Steps
First, contractors must finish the surface roads that will run beside the bridge (two lanes each side). And before they can do that, they must finish the drainage under those surface roads.
That in turn will require:
Finishing the bore operation under the railroad tracks to connect the drainage on both sides of the tracks.
Relocating some UP signaling equipment and power
Bringing fill dirt back from a sand mine on Sorters where it was stored after excavating the ponds at the entries.
Demolishing and removing the old lanes in the middle where the bridge will go up.
Building a foundation for the walls.
Drilling piers for the open span portion of the bridge which will go down 100 feet.
Pictures Taken 10/10/25
The pictures below taken today illustrate some of those steps.
Looking E from Dairy Queen toward Kings Mill entrance at additional drainage and bed prep for new lanes beside bridge.Looking W toward Loop 494, you can already see partial construction of surface lanes on left and right. Bridge will go in center where traffic and dirt are now.Bores under tracks are still holding up construction of surface lanes on right. In the meantime, traffic detours around the work area.Looking E from over entry ponds at US59. Demo of old lanes continues to make room for bridge and new surface lanes.Dirt apparently being moved back from storage at sand mine is being stockpiled near south entry pond.
Status of Bores under Tracks
The boring operation under the railroad tracks has been held up for several months by unexpected utility conflicts. The south bore is now complete.
But the north bore encountered two problems. A utility line broke off and had to be removed by hand. Next they encountered rocks, wood, and concrete debris that broke an augur. Still, De Leon’s project timetable shows that operation being completed by 10/18/25. They plan to hand-dig the remaining 11 feet.
South bore (r) has already reached the receiving pit west of tracks.Opposite direction (completed bore on left). Problem bore on right.Examples of debris encountered while boring under tracks.Looking S along 494 across Northpark. When the bores under the tracks are complete, contractors will place junction boxes in the pits, eliminating a blockage to the completion of Loop 494 expansion.
There are a lot of moving pieces to this puzzle. But it’s slowly and surely coming together. And when it does, Kingwood will have its first all-weather evacuation route. And commuters will shorten their drive times.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/10/25
2964 Days since Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/10_Bridge-Abutment-Wall-Stacked-Panels-Inventory-1-.png?fit=1500%2C1122&ssl=111221500adminadmin2025-10-10 22:03:402025-10-12 16:53:56Work on Northpark Bridge Could Start as Early as December
10/9/25 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger has scheduled another Median Madness event for Saturday October 18 from 8:30 to noon along Northpark Drive between Forest Bluff and Bassingham Drives.
Join District E, Trees for Kingwood and Houston Parks for a community cleanup of the medians in Kingwood!
It will involve picking up trash and trimming underbrush along the curb line to enhance aesthetics and safety.
To ensure your safety, the inside lanes of Northpark Drive will be closed for parking and cleanup.
The work area stretches from slightly east of Woodland Hills Drive for two blocks. See below.
Median Madness area circled in red.
Sign Up Now
Please confirm your attendance by signing up now. Once registered, you’ll receive an email with a waiver and helpful tips to prepare for the event. Be sure to complete the waiver and bring a printed copy with you on the day of Median Madness, October 18th.
What to Bring, Wear
And please remember to bring water, gloves, and wear closed-toe shoes. Tools will be available for use, but organizers encourage you to bring your own tools if possible. All ages are welcome, though those under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Long-Range Weather Forecast Beautiful
Previous Median Madness events focused on Kingwood Drive. One scheduled last Spring for Northpark was cancelled because of weather. But the long-range forecast for the 18th indicates the weather should be sunny and seventy.
The Power of People Working Together to Improve Their Community
The first two Median Madness events drew huge crowds of volunteers from all over Kingwood who had had enough of unsightly vines encroaching on traffic and narrowing lanes. Their efforts can still be seen today.
Kingwood Drive Median Madness event in November 2024.
Despite the hard work and sweat, you saw nothing but smiles as volunteers worked side by side and tore into the vines. So mark your calendars for Saturday, October 18.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/9/25
2963 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251009-Median-Madness-3-cropped.jpg?fit=1100%2C678&ssl=16781100adminadmin2025-10-09 15:23:292025-10-09 15:23:29Median Madness Round 3 Coming October 18
“If they don’t hustle up pretty soon, Uncle Bob, we could lose all that money. They dug us into a hole without digging many holes.”
“Yes, Izzy, it appears things have slowed way down. They’re just not building those stormwater-detention basins and channel-conveyance improvements as fast as they used to.”
“I gotta get me one of dem govmint jobs. The less you do, the more you make.”
“I don’t think that’s true, Izzy. I know a lot of hard-working public servants.”
“I sure could use the money, Uncle Bob. Anyway, qualifications is highly overrated. A job like that needs leadership ability.”
“I know you just got promoted to head bagger down at the Walmart, but…”
“Damn straight,” he exclaimed. “That’s because people like to work with me. My hands is always flyin’. I make everyone around me look good.”
“You are fast. I’ll give you that, Izzy.”
“And after work, I’m not afraid to tip back a few with the crew, too,” said Izzy, scratching his belly.
“I can see that.”
Lessons from Leadership School
“People gotta wanna work their hardest for ya, Uncle Bob. That’s what they done taught me in leadership school.”
“That’s very true, Izzy. But the people at Flood Control say they’re waiting on permits from other agencies like the Army Corps and EPA.”
“My point, presactly. See, I coulda introduced ’em to some dancers down at the Crystal Pistol. I woulda had those permits in a heartbeat, Uncle Bob.”
“I’m not sure that’s ethical, Izzy.”
“Why not? I’d be doing a public service for public servants. And probably savin’ taxpayers money in the long run.”
“Izzy!”
“What’s wrong, Uncle Bob?”
“It’s just not ethical.”
“You gotta understand how the game is played, Uncle Bob. I saw it all the time when I worked down at the lounge.”
Uncle Bob Sees Orange
“Enough, Izzy! It’s not legal either. You wouldn’t look good in orange.”
“OK, OK. But I’d find a way to get them permits … a legal way.”
“And what would that be?”
“Just like in school. Wait till the last minute and tell the teacher you need an extension.”
“They appear to be doing that now, Izzy. And they’ve already been told there won’t be any more extensions.”
“Welllllll then… just sayin’. Foxy Roxy flooded in Harvey, Uncle Bob. And she can be very discrete.”
“Does she have an engineering degree?”
________________
Satire by Bob Rehak on 10/8/25
2962 Days since 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/2025/10/Incremental-No-Callouts-2025-10-06-at-11.55.06-AM-e1759960584664.png?fit=1100%2C425&ssl=14251100adminadmin2025-10-08 16:49:442025-10-08 16:56:35Weird Nephew Izzy Has Fix for HCFCD Slowdown
Work on Northpark Bridge Could Start as Early as December
10/10/25 – Barring weather delays, more unforeseen utility conflicts, and UnionPacific delays, work on the Northpark bridge over UP’s road tracks and Loop 494 could begin as early as December 2025.
Side Walls for Abutments Already Fabricated
According to Ralph De Leon, the project manager for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10, all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together. Speaking to the Kingwood Executive Group on Wednesday 10/8/2025, De Leon mapped out the next steps.
Fabrication of the cement side walls for the bridge ramps has finished. The cement panels are in a storage yard waiting for transport to the site.
They look much like the side panels for the ramps that lead up to the US59 bridges over Kingwood and Northpark Drives. They contain raised details of pine trees to fit with the Livable Forest motif.
But several things need to happen before the walls for the abutments go up. Abutments support the lateral pressure of an arch or span at the ends of a bridge.
Additional Preparatory Steps
First, contractors must finish the surface roads that will run beside the bridge (two lanes each side). And before they can do that, they must finish the drainage under those surface roads.
That in turn will require:
Pictures Taken 10/10/25
The pictures below taken today illustrate some of those steps.
Status of Bores under Tracks
The boring operation under the railroad tracks has been held up for several months by unexpected utility conflicts. The south bore is now complete.
But the north bore encountered two problems. A utility line broke off and had to be removed by hand. Next they encountered rocks, wood, and concrete debris that broke an augur. Still, De Leon’s project timetable shows that operation being completed by 10/18/25. They plan to hand-dig the remaining 11 feet.
There are a lot of moving pieces to this puzzle. But it’s slowly and surely coming together. And when it does, Kingwood will have its first all-weather evacuation route. And commuters will shorten their drive times.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/10/25
2964 Days since Harvey
Median Madness Round 3 Coming October 18
10/9/25 – Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger has scheduled another Median Madness event for Saturday October 18 from 8:30 to noon along Northpark Drive between Forest Bluff and Bassingham Drives.
Join District E, Trees for Kingwood and Houston Parks for a community cleanup of the medians in Kingwood!
It will involve picking up trash and trimming underbrush along the curb line to enhance aesthetics and safety.
To ensure your safety, the inside lanes of Northpark Drive will be closed for parking and cleanup.
The work area stretches from slightly east of Woodland Hills Drive for two blocks. See below.
Sign Up Now
Please confirm your attendance by signing up now. Once registered, you’ll receive an email with a waiver and helpful tips to prepare for the event. Be sure to complete the waiver and bring a printed copy with you on the day of Median Madness, October 18th.
What to Bring, Wear
And please remember to bring water, gloves, and wear closed-toe shoes. Tools will be available for use, but organizers encourage you to bring your own tools if possible. All ages are welcome, though those under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Long-Range Weather Forecast Beautiful
Previous Median Madness events focused on Kingwood Drive. One scheduled last Spring for Northpark was cancelled because of weather. But the long-range forecast for the 18th indicates the weather should be sunny and seventy.
The Power of People Working Together to Improve Their Community
The first two Median Madness events drew huge crowds of volunteers from all over Kingwood who had had enough of unsightly vines encroaching on traffic and narrowing lanes. Their efforts can still be seen today.
Despite the hard work and sweat, you saw nothing but smiles as volunteers worked side by side and tore into the vines. So mark your calendars for Saturday, October 18.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/9/25
2963 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Weird Nephew Izzy Has Fix for HCFCD Slowdown
More than four years after being awarded almost a billion dollars in HUD money for more than 30 flood mitigation and disaster recovery projects, Harris County Flood Control District has actually started building only one of the jobs. If it misses rapidly approaching deadlines, it could lose the money, a fact that has not escaped my Weird Nephew Izzy.
Izzy applied for the job of HCFCD executive director in 2021, but didn’t get it. When he stopped by yesterday, he was still a tad bitter.
Izzy Does Some Armchair Quarterbacking
“If they don’t hustle up pretty soon, Uncle Bob, we could lose all that money. They dug us into a hole without digging many holes.”
“Yes, Izzy, it appears things have slowed way down. They’re just not building those stormwater-detention basins and channel-conveyance improvements as fast as they used to.”
“I gotta get me one of dem govmint jobs. The less you do, the more you make.”
“I don’t think that’s true, Izzy. I know a lot of hard-working public servants.”
“Well, look at Flood Control, Uncle Bob.”
“What about it?”
“They’re doin’ less and less. But their executive director just got a $90,000 raise. They shoulda done hired ME for that job, Uncle Bob.”
“But Izzy, you weren’t qualified.”
“I sure could use the money, Uncle Bob. Anyway, qualifications is highly overrated. A job like that needs leadership ability.”
“I know you just got promoted to head bagger down at the Walmart, but…”
“Damn straight,” he exclaimed. “That’s because people like to work with me. My hands is always flyin’. I make everyone around me look good.”
“You are fast. I’ll give you that, Izzy.”
“And after work, I’m not afraid to tip back a few with the crew, too,” said Izzy, scratching his belly.
“I can see that.”
Lessons from Leadership School
“People gotta wanna work their hardest for ya, Uncle Bob. That’s what they done taught me in leadership school.”
“That’s very true, Izzy. But the people at Flood Control say they’re waiting on permits from other agencies like the Army Corps and EPA.”
“My point, presactly. See, I coulda introduced ’em to some dancers down at the Crystal Pistol. I woulda had those permits in a heartbeat, Uncle Bob.”
“I’m not sure that’s ethical, Izzy.”
“Why not? I’d be doing a public service for public servants. And probably savin’ taxpayers money in the long run.”
“Izzy!”
“What’s wrong, Uncle Bob?”
“It’s just not ethical.”
“You gotta understand how the game is played, Uncle Bob. I saw it all the time when I worked down at the lounge.”
Uncle Bob Sees Orange
“Enough, Izzy! It’s not legal either. You wouldn’t look good in orange.”
“OK, OK. But I’d find a way to get them permits … a legal way.”
“And what would that be?”
“Just like in school. Wait till the last minute and tell the teacher you need an extension.”
“They appear to be doing that now, Izzy. And they’ve already been told there won’t be any more extensions.”
“Welllllll then… just sayin’. Foxy Roxy flooded in Harvey, Uncle Bob. And she can be very discrete.”
“Does she have an engineering degree?”
________________
Satire by Bob Rehak on 10/8/25
2962 Days since 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.