3/21/26 – Yesterday, the first side panels for the Northpark Drive bridge walls started going up. By today, approximately a third of the northeastern wall was already in place. It’s exciting to see a plan coming together.
The bridge will ultimately consist of three main sections: one ramp at each end, plus the clear span section in the middle over the UnionPacific Railroad tracks and Loop 494. Contractors are working on the eastern ramp first while they also drill supports for the clear span section which will reach approximately 22 feet above the tracks.
Separately, the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer was completed yesterday.
That makes paving on the entire Phase I project virtually complete except for areas around the bridge.
The only exceptions: surface lanes across the railroad tracks, the bridge itself (when complete), and some turn lanes onto/off of Loop 494 near the bridge.
And late today, I learned that contractors just received a green light to finish building the surface lanes up to the railroad tracks. That’s huge news! And it’s for both sides of Northpark from both directions!
Side Wall Going Up Quickly
Yesterday, around noon, I drove past Public Storage on Northpark and noticed the first side panel for the ramp to the bridge being hoisted in place. I made a mental note to come back today. And I was shocked – in a positive way – by the progress made in one day. See the pictures below.
Those white strips of concrete that form a U are “leveling pads” for the side panels, which you can see in front of Public Storage.Closer shot shows brackets which will help “anchor” the panels to compacted dirt that fills the area between the walls.Lifting another panel into place. Tongue-in-grove slots in the ends of panels let them interlock and brace each other.Progress by quitting time on Saturday afternoon. Note how some panels are already as high as vehicles.
Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Northpark Project, says this portion of the job usually goes quickly.
Farther west, those two pieces of heavy equipment have already sunk numerous piers for the bridge into the ground. I photographed them constructing this one on Thursday.
Paving Virtually Complete Elsewhere
Friday, 3/20/26, Harper Brothers poured quick-set concrete for the westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer Road.
Looking west from just east of Russell Palmer. Note fresh concrete in middle.
Now, all we need is the permanent traffic control signals at Russell Palmer.
Lookin east toward the terminus of Phase 1 from the easternmost portion of the bridge.Note new street light already installed in lower right.
It won’t be long now before this portion of the road opens.
3/19/26 – The first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood is getting closer to completion as the Northpark Bridge becomes reality.
Contractors hustled everywhere today:
Installing new streetlights and final drainage
Excavating entry ponds
Finishing work on Loop 494
Placing rebar
Pouring concrete
Building piers for the Northpark bridge over the UPRR and Loop 494
Laying foundations for ramps that will lead up to the bridge.
The pictures below tell the story. Let’s start with the biggest remaining piece of the Northpark Project jigsaw puzzle: the bridge.
Beginnings of a Bridge
I took all the pictures below today between 1 PM and 2 PM. Near Public Storage the first six piers for the bridge were in the ground. You could see foundations for the wing walls/abutments that will lead up to the bridge.
Those two concrete strips just inside the work area are leveling pads for the retaining walls that will form the ramp for the lead up to the bridge. Also note the eight finished piers in the foreground.
Truckers delivered the wall panels (not shown) to the site as I left. The area between the two leveling pads will be filled with compacted soil.
According to Ralph De Leon, the project manager for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10, Harper Brothers will connect the insides of the wall panels to metal straps approximately 20 feet long and embed the straps in the compacted soil.
More rebar tubes await as more holes are drilled for more piers. See below. See line of piers across bottom of frame.
Contractors drilled another hole (right) as I watched.
Equipment on right drills holes then pumps slurry into them. The crane on the left lifts and places the rebar cages into the holes. Slurry being pumped into the hole from the yellow container in the background. Note the slurry in the hole just drilled. It keeps the sides from collapsing until they pour concrete. They will pump concrete to the bottom of the hole. Because of its density, it will displace the temporary slurry, which they then siphon off. Contractors digging trench for another leveling wall that will go under the ramp leading to the bridge. The sand will stabilize the concrete.
Loop 494 Construction Virtually Complete
Loop 494 has reached its full width. It still needs striping tie-ins in a couple places to Northpark traffic. That will likely happen when UPRR installs crossing gates and contractors finish the rail crossings on Northpark.
The final cross section of 494. TXDoT will repeat this same cross section as 494 expansion moves northward. It’s the same cross section they built at Kingwood Drive.
UPRR Crossings
UPRR decided to install controller cabinets for its crossing signals on both sides of Northpark, not just the south.
Electronics are already installed and energized. UPRR just needs to install new crossing arms and hook them up.
After the new crossing arms become functional, contractors can finish paving the surface turn lanes that will go on either side of the bridge (where traffic is currently routed, through the center of the photo above). Within months, we should begin to see a bridge taking shape where those old lanes are now.
Eastern End of Project Virtually Complete
Farther east, the roadbed looks virtually complete with the exception of some finishing touches, such as striping, traffic signals, and filling in the median between the center curbs.
Looking east (inbound) from near the entrance to Northpark Christian Church.
One small section remains near the eastern terminus of Phase I – a westbound turn lane onto southbound Russell Palmer Road.
Looking west toward 59 toward Russell Palmer intersection.
Entry Ponds
At the other end of the project, at US59, contractors have almost finished excavating the north entry pond.
North entry pond at US59 and Northpark. Excavation has restarted.
The ponds will average 18 feet in depth and reach 22 feet at the deepest point. The edges of the pond already concealed the top of the truck below.
After Harper Brothers finishes excavating the North Pond, it will put down a concrete base, then finish the South Pond.
When Harper Brothers finishes both ponds, a subcontractor will install pond liners. Liner installation should take about two weeks.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/19/26
3124 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DJI_20260319141544_0668_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-03-19 18:53:432026-03-19 19:03:52Contractors Pouring Foundations for Northpark Bridge
3/9/2026 – On Tuesday 3/10/26, the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) will install new controllers for the Northpark Drive crossing gates. That means the rail crossing AND the Loop 494 intersection with Northpark will be under manual control for most of the day beginning at approximately 8 AM.
TXDoT, UPRR, the City of Houston, and TIRZ-10/LHRA representatives will be onsite to supervise the operation.
Watch for Flagmen and Police
In place of the railroad crossing gates, two flagmen, two motorcycle police officers, and four other police officers will shuttle traffic through the intersection and across the tracks.
Exercise extreme caution and be prepared for sudden stops. Especially if you haven’t had your morning coffee yet.
Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Northpark Expansion project, expected the operation could go 6 to 8 hours.
The “cabinet” that will house the controller has already been installed and energized. See red circle on the right below. UPRR needs to move the electronics from the old cabinet on the left to the new one on the right.
Old cabinet (l) is blocking new surface lanes which run across concrete inserts in tracks.
Next, Harper Brothers Construction will finish the new surface lanes across the tracks (see below).
The new surface lanes will connect across those concrete inserts in the tracks. The bridge will cover the center over the tracks and Loop 494.
Additionally, work on temporary signals for the two new feeder roads will begin on March 16th.
Other Northpark News
Excavation of Entry Ponds Restarting
The dirt crew will continue the excavation and grading of the north detention pond for the next two weeks with cement stabilization occurring once final grade is achieved. Then they will install the pond liner and move to the south pond.
Looking E from over US59. More excavation will start on north entry pond (L) first. South pond (R) will go next.
Bridge Construction
Excavation of the retaining wall footings will continue next week east of the railroad tracks. Embankment operations for the bridge header will begin after the retaining wall footings have been poured, and the retaining wall panels have begun being set.
Looking E from over UPRR Tracks. 6-lane bridge will go in center. Two surface lanes for turning traffic will go on either side of bridge.Excavation work has already started on footings for bridge retaining wall. See lower L to upper Center.
A structures crew will mobilize to the project beginning next week to pour the retaining wall footings, then set and build the retaining walls on the east side of the rail tracks.
Medians: Watch Your Tires
Crews are installing “curb pins” in the median of Northpark east side of the railroad tracks. The pins will hold the curbs that separate eastbound from westbound traffic. Do not try to cross between barrels or you could puncture your tires. Cross only at marked crossing locations.
Anderson Road
On March 9th, Anderson Road (the road next to the tracks that splits off south of Northpark) will return to its final configuration. The temporary asphalt placed previously will be removed and the final grading of the ditch will be completed.
Surface Lanes Near UPRR Tracks
The paving crew will continue to work on the paving in front of Extra Space Storage to finish the westbound paving up to the UPRR right of way and in the center of Northpark in front of Sun Auto. See below.
Sun Auto on left. Please patronize local businesses during construction.
Starting on March 23, the paving crew will mobilize to the UPRR ROW to focus on the 4 quadrants of paving up to the UPRR tracks until completed.
A small storm sewer crew will work on the final storm sewer items until the next phase when the UPRR crossings and signals are completed, and traffic is moved to the permanent railroad crossings.
Sidewalks
The sidewalk crew will pave from Russel Palmer to Northpark Christian Church on the outbound side. Then they will pave sidewalk from Marco’s Pizza up to King’s Mill.
Streetlights/Signals
The streetlight crew will continue working on drilling luminaire foundations and luminaire poles.
First of many new street lights started going up along Northpark last week.
The permanent signal work at Russel Palmer Road will begin the week of March 9.
Supports for Bridge
Also starting the week of March 9, the drilling subcontractor will begin drilling the 30″ shafts for the bridge retaining walls. They will also pour concrete for the drill shafts.
1/14/2026 – After the holidays, Northpark contractors placed rebar in many gaps along Northpark where concrete had not yet been poured. And today the concrete trucks were out in force, filling those gaps.
Contractors were also hard at work on drainage connections under Loop 494. Once those connections are completed, the last remaining segments of concrete can be poured and 494 will be complete.
That will leave the bridge over 494 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks to build. But before that can happen, UPRR needs to move the signals to the new crossings. See more below.
Concrete Pours
I took all pictures below on 1/14/26 at around 11 AM. Most of the new concrete being poured this morning was between Sherwin Williams and Dairy Queen.
Looking west toward Loop 494 at a parade of concrete trucks lined up. By 11AM, several hundred feet had already been poured and leveled.Close up from previous shot. Workers tightly coordinate to get the concrete down, spread, leveled and smoothed before it starts to harden.Farther east, Phase I is virtually complete with the exception of several driveways and sidewalks on the north side (Left).Higher angle from closer to Russell-Palmer Road, still looking east toward east end of project.Reverse angle looking west shows where sidewalks currently end on north side of street (right).
Drainage Connections at Loop 494
At Loop 494, contractors were working on both the northwest and southeast corners to complete drainage and sanitary connections.
Looking E at 494 intersection. Note excavation work on the opposite corners.
The current construction schedule posted on the TIRZ website, shows that contractors will demolish the existing east bound lanes (center-right above) on Friday and Saturday nights, 1/23 and 1/24.
The junction box connecting the bore under the tracks still needs to be connected to drainage under Loop 494 coming from the entry ponds at US59.
Re-Alignment of Railroad Crossing Signals
Before contractors build new surface lanes across the tracks and build the bridge, UPRR must move and rewire its traffic signals which currently close across the old lanes (right above).
The signals and crossing gates must be set to guard the new crossings (bottom and top right) rather than the old lanes in the middle.
Ralph DeLeon, TIRZ project manager says that he hopes UPRR will be able to get to the cross-signal issue in early February.
Until the TIRZ resolves that issue and pushes the new surface lanes across the track, it cannot build the bridge. There would be no way for traffic to get across the tracks.
Remaining Gaps
In the meantime, Northpark contractors will have to focus on filling in the remaining gaps.
Looking W from over 59. Note fresh concrete in sidewalk on right. It must still be connected to sidewalks farther east.
Once the drainage on both sides of Loop 494 is connected, contractors must clean out the ditch that runs from Public Storage behind the businesses north of Northpark down to Bens Branch. Then the drainage will be fully operational from east to west.
But contractors must also to finish excavating the lakes on either side of the entry above.
Father west, between Whataburger and Loop 494 at top of frame, contractors must sink piers for bridge in center.
Note at the bottom of the picture above, the full 12 lanes that Northpark will become in this area compared to the current four.
Loop 494 can finally be completed once drainage under it is connected.Underlayment, rebar and concrete remain for the surface lanes on the north side of Northpark by Self U and Public Storage.The entrance to Kings Mill is currently scheduled for completion before the end of January.
For More Information
When complete, this will be the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for 78,000 people.
For a history of the project to date, search on “Northpark” in the upper right corner of ReduceFlooding.com. Since 2018, I have posted more than 200 stories about this project.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/14/2026
3060 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/20260114-DJI_20260114105320_0892_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2026-01-14 15:52:152026-01-14 20:38:43Northpark Contractors Pouring Concrete Again
12/6/25 – Northpark Drive expansion contractors started boring underneath Union-Pacific Railroad Tracks on 5/17/25. Yesterday, they finally connected the drainage networks on both sides – an early Christmas present for the project team. It also represents a major project milestone in the quest to build an all-weather evacuation route for Kingwood.
Pictures of Final East/West Connections under Tracks
This morning, Project Manager, Ralph De Leon sent me pictures taken earlier on Thursday.
Culvert sections creeping toward junction box (right). A concrete/sand mixture surrounds the sections to lock them in place.Wider shot shows culvert’s entry point into junction box.Workers place plywood across the entry, then……pour more concrete to seal it off.Contractors finally removed the retaining walls that kept workers safe in the pits.
How Bore Pits Looked Today
By the time I got there today with my drone, contractors had completely filled one bore pit and mostly filled the second!
Pit between tracks and Loop 494 filled!
According to De Leon, even though contractors have completed the east/west drainage, they must still connect the junction boxes to 8′ x 8′ culverts that branch north on both sides of the tracks.
One branch will collect stormwater from Loop 494 shown above.
Pit east of tracks was mostly filled in today. But note excavator digging an additional trench north (right) of pit.
The second will convey part of the stormwater that goes under the tracks to the north behind Extra Space Storage, Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See above. That water will use a ditch that connects with Bens Branch and the Kingwood Diversion Ditch near the Fireworks Stand.
Trench (r) will connect the junction box to culverts already buried behind storage businesses.
The rest of the stormwater from the junction box will use culverts already buried down the middle of Northpark. Contractors have already made and buried that connection, according to De Leon.
Up Next Elsewhere on Northpark
According to the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website, after tying into the drainage ditch that goes behind the storage businesses, the large storm sewer crew will move across the tracks and tie in the Loop 494 drainage to the western junction box.
They will then begin working on the east side of the tracks from the Anderson Rd to Northpark Christian Church where the paving has been poured setting the curb inlet tops and extensions.
Another crew will also work east of the tracks from Northpark Christian Church to Advanced Auto, setting the curb inlet tops and extensions.
On Monday December 15th, they will move to the corner of LP 494 and Northpark in front of the Dry Cleaners to set the sanitary sewer manhole cone and top.
The dirt crew will begin backfilling and grading behind the curbs on both east- and westbound Northpark east of the railroad tracks.
The concrete paving crews will pour from Anderson Rd. towards the Dairy Queen driveway. They will then move to westbound Northpark and pave from Sun Auto to Quick Quack/Sherwin Williams.
The driveway crew will continue working on the remaining 4 driveways on westbound Northpark near Northpark Christian Church. They will then return to working on the sidewalk from Northpark Christian Church to the east end of the project at Advanced Auto.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251206-image002.jpg?fit=825%2C1100&ssl=11100825adminadmin2025-12-06 21:16:562025-12-06 21:31:49Northpark Update: Drainage on Both Sides of UPRR Tracks Finally Connected
11/28/25 – Turning from the northbound US59 feeder these days onto eastbound Northpark Drive can test one’s patience. Last Wednesday – near midday – traffic was backed up for four blocks. And it took several cycles of a very long traffic light to make the turn. See below.
Looking S at traffic backed up on US59 northbound feeder at mid-day on Wednesday, 11/26/25
Note how the two turn lanes on the feeder are temporarily blocked off.
Fortunately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 is actively working on solutions to the problem.
Why Northbound Turn Lanes are Closed
The two northbound turn lanes are blocked off because of the current shortage of inbound merging lanes on Northpark. Four lanes of traffic (two turning and two coming from under the freeway) must squeeze into two lanes. And those two lanes swerve within feet of the intersection. See below.
Looking W at US59 from over Northpark. Note step-shaped piece of old pavement near intersection.
Reportedly, the new paving stopped short of the freeway at this location to avoid a closure of the road for inbound traffic.
But at some point that odd “step-shaped” area of old concrete and blacktop will have to be replaced with new concrete. And at this point, project manager Ralph De Leon thinks that should happen sooner rather than later. So he’s looking at alternatives.
“This odd area of original concrete immediately east of the intersection of the I-69 and Northpark is the issue,” said De Leon. “It needs to be torn out and replaced with new concrete. And due to its difficult location, the contractor has held off. They will probably need to close that area beginning on a Friday night, reopening on a Sunday. It will take three days.”
Engineers Studying Fix
De Leon added, “The engineers are evaluating shifting the inbound traffic northward to the current outbound lanes while the activity is taking place. Thus, instead of four westbound lanes, they will go down to two lanes both directions, but only for the weekend. And after that, we are good for the remainder of the project,” he added.
The engineers and contractor are also looking at creating “merge lanes” further to the east. They would be located roughly in the vicinity of What-a-Burger. Moving the merge area eastward, away from the intersection may improve safety.
De Leon says the engineers are now working on a Traffic Control Plan. However, before they can implement it, the contractors we will need to fabricate traffic signs that guide traffic to the merging lanes.
Regardless of which option the engineers recommend, that odd shaped piece of old pavement will need to shut down from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to replace the old concrete with new panels. The wider shot below shows where turning traffic could merge.
Looking W from farther back shows where traffic turning off US59 could merge with other inbound traffic.
Reconstruction of a major thoroughfare is never easy. However, when this is complete, it will provide major improvements to both mobility and safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/28/25
3013 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251126-DJI_20251126145900_0468_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-28 16:58:452025-11-28 17:32:52Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion
11/23/25 – Contractors for the Northpark expansion project will now start constructing piers for the bridge over the UnionPacific Railroad tracks and Loop 494 on the east instead of the west, as previously announced. Photos taken today show equipment that will be used to drill the piers pre-positioned near Public Storage.
Elsewhere along Northpark since the last update a week ago:
An additional newly paved inbound lane between US59 and Exxon now shows how wide Northpark will be.
The drainage junction box on the west side of the UP tracks is complete and covered, although the box still needs to be connected to 8′ culvert coming under Loop 494.
Many, but not all, of the new driveways to businesses on the north/outbound lanes have now been completed.
As always, the pictures tell the story. I took all photos below today, Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Full Width Now Visible by Exxon
New concrete near 59 gives one a feeling for just how wide Northpark will be for most of its length. It’s not all open yet, but it won’t be long.
Looking west toward the junction of US59 and Northpark.
Here’s a wider shot from the reverse angle.
Looking east from over 59.Farther east, you can see the area in the middle where the bridge will start to elevateby PNC banknear bottom of frame.
Drainage Junction Box West of Tracks Now Complete and Covered
The drainage junction box west of the UP tracks is now complete and covered. However, before Loop 494 paving can be completed, contractors must still install a short section of 8′ culvert. Boring under the tracks was a major milestone and so is the completion of the first junction box.
Buried junction box is to right of excavator.The steel fin poking up in the oval marks the edge of the junction box.
Next, contractors will excavate the area between the red lines and connect the junction box with culvert already running under Loop 494. Then…
Contractors will next complete this last section of Loop 494, which should greatly relieve traffic congestion.The junction box east of the tracks is virtually complete. More good news!
It, too, will need to be connected, and then drainage will reach all the way from the entry ponds to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. However, before new surface lanes can be put over the tracks, electricity to the UPRR crossing signal must be rerouted. See below.
Instead of power going to the signals from 3 to 2 to 1, UP must reroute it from 4 to 1.
Ralph De Leon, the Northpark project manager indicated that Pole #4 is already energized so this is primarily just a rewiring exercise. However, UP will not give him a definite date to plan around. They say they hope to get to it sometime “next year.”
Where Bridge Construction Will Now Start
Looking farther east, you can see more surface lane prep on the left, fresh concrete with curbs and drainage inlets completed on the right, and equipment being mobilized for drilling bridge piers in the middle.
Looking E from in front of Self-U Storage. Friendswood’s new Northpark Enclave subdivision on right.Equipment that will be used to start drilling piers stationed in front of Public Storage (left)The telescoping Kelly Bar that will be used to hydro-excavate 100-foot deep holes for the piersRed crane will control Kelly Bar
The drilling will be a step and repeat process with rebar and concrete being inserted into each hole before moving on to the next. That will keep the holes from collapsing as work proceeds.
Slightly farther east, you can see where the bridge will end and the surface lanes will pinch in
Where surface traffic will eventually merge with bridge traffic.
More news to follow soon about the area above. Between normal traffic, Northpark contractors, and Enclave contractors, this area is getting crowded. Use extra caution.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/23/25
3008 Days since Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251123-DJI_20251123140542_0451_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-23 17:11:042025-11-23 20:47:05Northpark Bridge Construction Plan Changes
11/5/25 – From ground level, a driver may not see all the progress being made on the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. But from the air, it’s unmistakable. One can clearly see the pieces of the final Northpark project coming together.
In the last week, contractors have:
Prepped and/or paved a mile of new inbound lanes on Northpark
Framed out most of the first junction box that will convey stormwater from one side of the UPRR tracks to another
Began prepping the second junction box.
Extended sidewalks on the south side of Northpark between Loop 494 and 59.
Below are pictures taken on Monday, 11/3/25 that show the state of the massive project.
Prep and Paving of Inbound Lanes
Looking east from the entry ponds at US59, note the sidewalks going in on the right. Contractors are bending the path to save a giant live oak tree by the Exxon station.
Looking east from the entry ponds at US59 on 11/3/25. Note sidewalk swerving to save tree. Closeup below.Closer shot of men routing the sidewalk around the live oak in front of the Exxon Station.
Also note below that contractors have removed all the old concrete from the southernmost lanes (right of center) and have begun paving new lanes from Whataburger to US59.
Reverse angle. Looking SW at the same area.
On the other side of Loop 494, there’s even more progress. Note the new lanes stretching east from Loop 494 most of the way to Russell Palmer Road.
Looking east from over Loop 494. Note new paving (right) in front of a new subdivision which will be called the Northpark Enclave.
A little farther east, contractors have laid an asphalt base that stretches for several more blocks. Concrete will soon follow.
Note the base for new paving on the right.
Also note above the gentle outward curve of the road on both sides. This is where surface roads will split to make room for the bridge over the tracks and Loop 494.
Junction Boxes by Loop 494
Contractors are in the process of forming two cast-in-place junction boxes on either side of the UPRR tracks that parallel Loop 494.
They finished two bores under the tracks in October. Now, they are creating the junction boxes, one on either side of the tracks. Together, will help convey stormwater to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
All this work is taking place under ground and is invisible from the road.
Looking down at the rebar that will reinforce the walls of the western pit between Loop 494 and the tracks.Work is just starting on the eastern junction box in front of Self-U-Storage.
Sidewalks between US59 and Loop 494
Looking west and people working on sidewalk near Exxon Station.Wider shot shows the south sidewalk will soon stretch all the way to US59.
Next Steps
Ralph De Leon, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority project manager for the Northpark expansion project, says the next steps will be:
Opening up all the westbound lanes between Loop 494 and US59
Opening up all the eastbound lanes on both sides of Loop 494
Finishing the driveways on the outbound side of Northpark east from the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
In the meantime, pack your patience. And focus on how nicely this will all work when complete.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/5/25
2090 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251103-DJI_20251103142117_0357_D-1.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-05 15:59:412025-11-05 16:11:22Northpark Update: Building Blocks Falling into Place
7/7/25 – Most current Northpark expansion work has shifted west of Loop 494 out to US59.
Work had been underway to bore underneath the UnionPacific Railroad tracks in order to connect the drainage east and west of the tracks.
Looking west. 5′ diameter steel pipes are being forced under the tracks to convey stormwater from one side to the other.
However, workers in the “receiving pit” encountered more unplanned utility conflicts and work stalled.
Utility conflicts in the receiving pit west of the tracksare prohibiting installation of junction box for drainage.
The boring work on hold pending approval of a plan to remove the conflicts.
Removing Old Junction Box by Sonic
Meanwhile, the focus of work has shifted west. One storm-drain crew is working to remove an old drainage structure by the Sonic driveway. See pit in front of yellow excavator below.
Looking west. Storm sewer work near Sonic extends up and down the block.
Getting Ready for Fast-Track Paving
This week another crew will complete the sub grade in this same area from Whataburger to LP 494 in preparation for Fast Track paving.
Looking east at area in front of Sonic that will receive fast track paving.
Drainage Work in Center Will Soon Begin
Looking W from over US59. Old west bound lanes have now been removed. Before repaving, crews must install lateral drainage.
According to the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority’s latest update, median work between I-69 and Whataburger will also include a detention pond equalizer pipe.
Looking east from over 59 at entry ponds.
Eastbound Inlets and Lateral Drainage
A storm-sewer crew will soon finish placing the inlets and laterals on eastbound Northpark from Anderson to Kings Mill.
Looking ESE over Anderson at bottom of frame. Northpark on left where inlet and lateral work is ongoing. This also shows construction work to date on the Enclave (center).
Loop 494 Paving and More
Work on new northbound lanes of LP 494 will continue in preparation for concrete pours on Wednesday and Friday during the week of 7/11.
Installation of new driveways on westbound Northpark from Sherwin-Williams to Extra Space storage will soon finish. That’s good news for those merchants. See below.
Looking E. Note new paving and driveways on left.
But getting into and out of the Exxon Station will require some exploration for a while.
To make room for extra lanes, the Exxon Station at Northpark and 59 will lose part of its driveway.
Here’s a three-week look-ahead schedule that tells you, weather permitting, what should happen when. Please note, however. The last item (illumination poles on south side of Northpark from Italiano’s to east end of project) has been delayed and will not happen as scheduled.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/7/25
2869 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250707-DJI_20250707095849_0452_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-07-07 15:31:022025-07-07 15:47:08Most Northpark Expansion Work Shifts West of Loop 494
6/14/25 – In the NorthPark Drive expansion project last week, the traffic switch originally scheduled for 6/6 finally happened on 6/10. Since then, demolition of the old westbound lanes on Northpark between Loop 494 and US59 has begun.
In other Northpark news, contractors are laying rebar in preparation for a concrete pour between Public Storage and Quick Quack Car Wash.
And after an engineering review, Ralph De Leon, the Northpark project manager, says 100% of the water in the Enclave Detention Basin will go south toward the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and that it will not overflow into Northpark.
Finally, CenterPoint has removed an electrical pole that was in the way of boring underneath the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. Contractors have finished the receiving pit west of the tracks and have started boring for the second pipe that will go under the tracks. However, it appears there may be some utility conflicts in the receiving pit west of the tracks.
I took all the pictures below on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Traffic Switch and Old Lane Demolition
The shot below shows how traffic was diverted from the old westbound lanes in the middle of the frame.
Looking E from in front of Exxon Station near US59. Note traffic swerving to left of the area where heavy equipment is perforating the old westbound lanes in preparation for their removal.
This close shot shows the actual perforations made by what looks like a hydraulic hammer (or giant punch) on the arm of an excavator.
Perforation of old concrete in preparation for removal.
After the old concrete is removed, new culverts will be placed underneath where it was. Then contractors will pour new concrete.
As you can see below, it looks like the perforation stretches halfway from Loop 494 to US59 as of Saturday 6/14/25. LHRA hopes to finish that work this coming week.
Looking East from over US59.
Getting Ready for Next Concrete Pour
Contractors have also finished placing rebar in new westbound lanes between the Quick Quack Car Wash and Public Storage.
Looking E toward Quick Quack from the Dunkin’ parking lot.Looking W from Dunkin’ driveway toward Public Storage.Wider shot looking W shows location of rebar in upper center (to left of traffic).New Enclave Subdivision within Kings Mill on right.
Enclave Detention Basin Controversy
In a previous post, I noted how construction plans for the Enclave showed its detention basin overflowing into Northpark during extreme rainfall events. That became a concern because one of the main goals for Northpark is to create an all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 people during high-water events.
Detail from Enclave construction plans obtained via FOIA request from Montgomery County Engineer’s Office.Highlight added.
Montgomery County Precinct 4’s Victoria Bryant said that she was convening a review of the plans by the two engineering companies involved (for Northpark Expansion and the Enclave), the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office and Houston Public Works. She has not yet communicated the outcome of that review.
Separately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 conducted its own internal engineering review.
At the LHRA/TIRZ 10 board meeting on 6/12/25, Ralph De Leon, project manager for Northpark expansion stated that “It’s not going to overflow. 100% of the water goes south, ties into Kings Mill, and will go out (to) the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.”
Council Member Fred Flickinger added, “Now, obviously, all of it going into the Diversion Ditch creates another set of issues.”
It’s not clear yet whether the Montgomery County Engineer’s Office reached the same conclusion. No one has explained the reason for the notation on the plans yet.
Meanwhile, Enclave contractors have finished connecting storm sewer pipes to their detention basin.
Storm sewer pipe from Kings Mill now reaches the Enclave Detention Basin.
Bore Under Railroad Tracks
Side-by-side 5-foot steel pipes will carry stormwater under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks from the area west of Loop 494 to the east toward the Diversion Ditch by Flowers of Kingwood.
However, for years, a CenterPoint electricity pole blocked the path. CenterPoint finally removed it last week. That’s good news.
Looking west at start of twin 5-foot pipes that will carry stormwater under tracks.“Receiving pit” on far side of tracks.
Contractors have also apparently finished the receiving pit west of the tracks where the pipes will tie into a junction box under Loop 494 northbound lanes.
However, the “receiving pit” west of the tracks appears to have some utility conflicts of its own. See below.
Note one pipe under ladder and another cutting diagonally across receiving pit.LHRA notes indicate one is an abandoned water line.
Once UnionPacific approves a workaround, LHRA says crews will work 24 hours to finish the bores within two weeks.
As they say in construction, “it’s always something.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/14/25
2846 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/2025/06/20250614-DJI_20250614153752_0194_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-06-14 20:53:272025-06-14 20:53:28Demolition of Old Westbound Lanes Begins on Northpark
