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
6/5/25 – The Northpark Drive Expansion Project has been a beehive of activity recently.
A major traffic switch will happen Friday.
Crews have paved several blocks of new westbound lanes and are working their way toward the railroad tracks.
They have finished the first pit for boring under the UnionPacific tracks and are getting ready to place the boring machine into it. They have also started excavating the receiving pit on the west side of the tracks.
Contractors at the Northpark Enclave continue to work even as Montgomery County Precinct 4 is trying to set up a meeting between Montgomery County Engineering, City of Houston, EHRA (the Enclave’s engineering company), and HNTB (the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority’s engineering company). The purpose: to discuss concerns about potential overflow from the development’s retention pond during extreme weather events into the evacuation route for 78,000 people.
Lane Switch
Westbound traffic between Loop 494 and US59 will be routed to recently paved lanes on the north side of Northpark starting Friday, June 6.
According to Ralph De Leon, Northpark Expansion project manager, “Beginning June 6th at 9pm, Harper Brothers Construction will shift westbound Northpark Drive traffic to the newly constructed westbound lanes.”
The contractor will then install new storm sewer pipes and construct new concrete roadway between the eastbound and westbound lanes. This shift should last approximately 6 months. And no additional lane changes will take place during that time in that area.
De Leon provided this map to help motorists understand Friday’s change.
Beginning 6.6.25 at 9 PM
That same area looks like this from a lower angle.
Crews will reroute traffic to the lanes on the right with the orange traffic cones.
Westbound traffic now in the middle will move to the right and crews will begin work in the middle.
Paving
During the last few months, work on the north side of Northpark east of the railroad tracks has focused mainly on utility relocations and drainage installation. Now, crews are starting to pave that area working from east to west – toward the tracks.
Note the fresh concrete on the left below.
Looking East along Northpark DriveReverse angle. Looking W from same location. Crews are working on pavement prep work, i.e., rebar placement.
Boring Under Union Pacific Tracks
Steel pipe previously stockpiled south (left) of Northpark has been moved to the north side in preparation for the bore.Workers have completed the steel frame for the boring operation and poured a concrete floor for the bore pit.
They have also placed a section of railroad tracks into the pit. The boring machine will later be placed on the tracks.
On the far side of the tracks, you can see them starting to excavate the receiving pit.
Two steel pipes will run under the tracks side by side to convey storm water toward the Diversion Ditch from the area on the west side of Loop 494. As crews push each section in, they will weld a new section on.
Enclave Construction
Contrary to earlier reports, construction at the Enclave has not stopped during a peer review of the subdivision’s drainage.
Photo taken 6/4/25 at approximately 2 PMshowed activity throughout the site.
Victoria Bryant, Montgomery County Precinct 4 Project Coordinator says that she is trying to set up a meeting between the engineering companies, MoCo Engineering and the City of Houston.
Pictures below show activity on the site.
Culvert installation almost reached the development’s detention basinat 2PM on 6/4/25.More drainage being installed on 6/3/25Pipes going in the ground.Also on 6/3/25.
Drainage Concerns
Meanwhile, construction plans show that the detention basin could overflow into the only evacuation route for 78,000 people during extreme rainfall events.
Enlarged and cropped detail from construction plans.
But it doesn’t take a 100-year rainfall to create a 100-year flood in the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
The photo below taken by Kingwood flood activist Chris Bloch during the May 2024 flood shows runoff in the Kingwood Diversion Ditch reaching above the bottom of the Northpark Drive Bridge, which was above the predicted 100-year flood level.
But the closest Harris County Flood Control rain gage showed that the May 2024 event that caused water to reach that high was approximately a 5-year rainfall by today’s Atlas-14 standard.
Photo courtesy of Chris Bloch
But there’s more. Plans for the bridge show that the bottom is at 75.76 feet.
About a half mile downstream, drainage from the Enclave and the rest of Kings Mill crosses under Russell Palmer Road and enters into the Diversion Ditch.
Water in the Diversion Ditch at the bridge was higher than the crown of Russell Palmer Road at the detention basin.
When water in a receiving ditch is higher than water in a connected detention basin, it creates back-pressure on the water in the basin. Water can actually flow into the basin from the ditch.
At a minimum, higher water in the Diversion Ditch would slow the water coming out of Kings Mill and the Enclave. That raises the height of stormwater in the detention basin(s) and keeps it there longer.
Also, note that the outfall pipe for the Kings Mills Detention Basins is at the BOTTOM of the Diversion Ditch. (See below.) That exacerbates the back-pressure issue.
Route of stormwater from Kings Mill Detention Basin (right) to Kingwood Diversion Ditch (left)
Conclusion: Mismatch Between Regulations and Reality
The Diversion Ditch has become seriously overburdened with runoff from subdivisions that were developed when the rainfall probability estimates used by Montgomery County were 40% lower than they are for this area today.
That may or may not cause the Enclave detention basin to overflow into Northpark during a REAL 100-year event. It will be interesting to see what the engineers determine. Only they can tell how high, how far, and how long the water will back up.
Chances are small that the Enclave detention basin will overflow into Northpark during an evacuation. But the stakes are huge.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 6/4/25
2836 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/2025/06/20250604-NorthPark-Traffic-Switch-06-06-2025R.jpg?fit=1100%2C712&ssl=17121100adminadmin2025-06-04 20:17:332025-06-05 13:46:02Northpark Update: Lane Switch, Paving, Tunneling, Enclave
5/30/25 – The Northpark Enclave detention basin may be undersized and the developer plans to dump overflow stormwater during extreme events into the only all-weather evacuation route for 78,000 people. That’s according to construction documents and drainage plans obtained from Montgomery County under the Freedom of Information Act.
The last thing you need during a mass evacuation is street flooding.
EHRA, the developer’s engineering company, told Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Northpark expansion project, that all drainage for the new subdivision would be routed south to the Kings Mill Stormwater Detention Basin and then via an outfall channel to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch near the County Line. But the construction drawing above indicates otherwise.
Technically a part of Kings Mill, this 11-acre strip bordering Northpark is just now being developed for single-family residential. Most of Kings Mill was built in phases between 2004 and 2018. And therein lies a huge problem.
Old Plans Use Antiquated Rainfall Statistics
Some of the drainage analyses/plans for the Enclave detention basin date back to 2002 – almost 25 years ago.
Back then, assumptions about “probable maximum rainfall” were very different from today’s. Montgomery County defined a 100-year rainfall then as 12.1 inches in 24 hours.
However, today, MoCo defines a 100-year/24-hour rainfall as 16.1 inches – a 33% increase. But for this development’s location, NOAA defines one as 17.1 inches – a 41% increase. Why the difference?
MoCo adopted Atlas 14 rainfall statistics in 2019. But NOAA fine-tunes its statistics for individual locations. And MoCo regulations use Conroe’s statistics for the entire county. Rainfall decreases as you go farther inland and Conroe is 40 miles north of this location. But that’s not all.
Confusing Documents Don’t Match
It’s not clear how engineers have updated the old drainage analyses in the new plans. MoCo did not provide an updated drainage analysis in response to my FOIA request.
Yet within the construction plans, it appears that EHRA may have tried to mitigate for higher rainfall standards in the development of this tract within Kings Mill.
Calculations on page 9 of Construction Plans Part 2 reference 2023 City of Houston Regulations for detention volume. They show the size (line 3 below) as 11 acres.
Plans do not provide a narrative explaining how all the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle fit together. And trying to track the pieces back through documents dating back almost 20 years is confusing.
15.6 acres in 2012 magically became 11 acres in 2025.
At the very least, it’s safe to say that unexplained differences like these make one question the quality and consistency of calculations in the plans.
55% Impervious Cover?
And they never do explain how they can put 100 homes on 10 acres (minus one acre for the detention basin) and get only 55% impervious cover. Experience suggests that more realistic estimates for that much density would range from 65% to 85% depending on the size of homes and garages.
Only two things became clear after struggling to understand these documents:
There should be a statute of limitations on “grandfathering” permits based on when someone first applied for them.
Someone should have required a new drainage analysis for this project.
More news to follow.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/30/25
2831 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/2025/05/20250530-Detention-Overflow-copy.jpg?fit=1100%2C694&ssl=16941100adminadmin2025-05-30 22:13:292025-05-31 20:22:02Enclave Detention Basin Will Overflow into Kingwood Evacuation Route
5/24/25 – Contractors for the Northpark expansion project have completed the first of two pits that will let them bore under the UnionPacific Railroad tracks. They call the first pit the “launching pit” and the second the “receiving pit.” Each pit is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. They should start work on the receiving pit after Memorial Day.
A boring machine will be anchored in the launching pit and force 20-foot sections of 5-foot steel pipe through the dirt under the tracks toward the receiving pit. Welds between sections will take an estimated three hours each. Work will continue 24/7 until complete.
When complete, two parallel 6-foot sections of pipe will carry stormwater from west to east. Before the pits are sealed back up, contractors will place huge junction boxes in them to connect the rest of the drainage system.
Safety First
Throughout the operation, crews will aim a laser at the track surface that can detect minute movements as trains pass over.
Ralph De Leon, project manager for the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority said, “If there is any shift, it will send a report back to the observers and they’ll be able to conduct another test 20 minutes later, half an hour later, an hour later, to see if it was just a fluctuation or if there’s really a problem inside the bore pit.”
He continued. “Every time a train goes over, work will stop anywhere from three to about 20 minutes. They will check everything all over again and then they’ll resume their work.”
Constant Checks
De Leon emphasized that, “every time they push in a piece of pipe, they take out the auger and they check the elevations and the flow lines to make sure that they’re still within the limits to get the slope they need for drainage.”
“If it looks like they’re doing nothing, it’s because they’re checking their work,” he said. The operation will continue 24/7 until complete, weather permitting.
Preparing the Pit
You can’t see into the pit from the road. But LHRA supplied these pictures of its construction. The steel frame, I-beams, and steel plates form the sides of the pit. The boring will take place where the wooden sections currently sit.
Contractors constructed a grid of steel rebar along the base of the pit. They will stand it up off the ground by placing the gray blocks at the intersections.Then they pour and spread concrete under, around and over the rebar. The red stakes indicate where they will later anchor the boring machine.Next, they spread and level the concrete.Finished bore pit. Red circles indicate where workers will anchor boring machine.Red box indicates approximate location for receiving pit.Construction of that starts next week.
A CenterPoint pole currently blocks the left bore. However, UnionPacific and CenterPoint have reached an agreement. The railroad has agreed to let CenterPoint enter its right of way and remove the pole. Until that happens, contractors will work on the right bore.
The dual bores should take approximately 4 weeks. Contractors will work under the supervision of both RailPros and UPRR inspectors until the work is completed.
New Development: Northpark Enclave
Lennar Homes of Texas is clearing land for a new subdivision called Northpark Enclave at Loop 494 and Northpark. It will contain 100 single family homes on approximately 11 acres. But one acre will go to stormwater detention. That means the homes will be built ten to an acre. That’s about as dense as the nearby Preserve at Woodridge.
Clearing for the Northpark Enclave is already underway south of Dunkin’ Donuts and Public Storage.
Looking east from over 494. Northpark Drive on left. Land for Northpark Enclave being cleared.
De Leon believes the drainage from the Enclave will go through Kings Mill into the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.
Montgomery County has not yet updated its Drainage Criteria Manual. So, it appears this development will squeak through under the old regulations developed in the 1980s which had a minor update in 2019.
Traffic Changeover Coming
The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority posted a new 3-week lookahead schedule. In addition to work on driveways, drainage and curbs, it shows a major traffic change coming next week.
The switch is scheduled for Wednesday night, June 4th. Westbound traffic will shift to new pavement from approximately Culver’s westward to I-69. Once traffic is switched, a subcontractor will begin demolition of the old westbound lanes through that same area.
The paving crew will also continue roadway construction on westbound Northpark from the Kolache Factory to Public Storage.
Paving crew will focus on the stretch on the left.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/24/2025
2825 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20250523-DJI_20250523074912_0537_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-05-23 15:30:032025-05-24 12:23:25Northpark Update: Drainage, New Subdivision, Traffic Changeover
5/17/25 – Contractors have finally started boring under UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks to connect Northpark drainage east and west of Loop 494. That crucial connection is a key to beginning many other parts of the Northpark expansion project.
Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority first contacted UPRR about running Northpark drainage under their tracks ten years ago. And for those keeping track, it was eight years ago that the two parties signed their first contract.
Fifth Contract is the Charm
If you’re wondering why it’s taken so long, the two parties are now working on their fifth contract. But all that is in the past. So are the special UPRR training sessions that contractors and LHRA staff had to attend. So is the years-long wait for UPRR to weld single 200-foot-long sections of track into place across the ten lanes of Northpark.
All energies are positive now and the project is moving forward.
Looking W along Northpark across Loop 494 toward US59. Location of starting point for bore circled. This and all pictures below taken on Friday, May 16, 2025.
One Pole Blocking Bore Must Move
Note, however, a CenterPoint pole is still in the way. See below.
Energized electric lines must be moved to adjacent pole on right.
CenterPoint needs to transfer the energized lines from the existing wood poles on each side of Northpark to the newly installed and adjacent fiberglass poles. Those are designed to route the electricity underground at that location – out of the way of the bridge. Once electricity is rerouted, the old pole blocking progress can be removed.
Yesterday, I received word from City Councilman Fred Flickinger’s District E office that CenterPoint and UPRR are close to signing a contract that will let CenterPoint enter UPRR’s right of way to move the pole. Good news!
A steel frame and steel plates locked together by those giant timbers in the foreground will protect the operation.
Steel, Not Concrete Pipe Needed
After completing the bore pit, contractors will run six-foot steel pipes under the tracks. The tolerance is exceedingly tight. The tracks cannot move more than one-quarter inch despite the weight and vibration of mile-long trains carrying heavy loads. Hence the steel.
Pipes that will eventually bore under tracks are being stockpiled for now on S side of Northpark.
Bore Pit Built Like Underground Fortress
From the ground, construction of the bore pit looked like this.
Steel I-beams and steel frame form perimeter of pit.Then giant steel plates were slotted between the I-beams.Looking E from over Loop 494. Steel pipe will connect to a giant junction box in the dirt area (bottom center).
Junction Boxes Will Tie Drainage Together
When this operation is complete, we will have two junction boxes on either side of the tracks.
Some time ago, a third junction box was placed underground near the Shell station on the opposite side of Loop 494. Before contractors paved the new southbound lanes on Loop 494, they already connected giant 8’x8′ reinforced concrete pipe under the paving. So now, all they have to do is connect that to the center junction box west of the tracks (foreground above).
Contingent Operations
Many subsequent operations rely on the successful completion of the bore under the tracks. They include:
5/8/25 – Several crucial operations that are part of the Northpark expansion project should soon begin in the quest to create the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood. Contractors are about to begin:
Boring under the the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) tracks to connect the drainage on either side
Installing two junction boxes west of Loop 494 on the south side of Northpark to convey stormwater to the north side.
Relocating an electrical distribution box next to Exxon at US59.
Modifying the Exxon station itself.
Separately, contractors have already started clearing surface lanes on the south side of Northpark between Loop 494 and Marco’s Pizza. The lanes will carry traffic next to the bridge going over 494 and the UPRR tracks.
This post will also discuss utility-related delays to date and the timetable for completing project components. Those include Phase II, a new detention basin, and widening of the northernmost portion of the Kingwood Diversion ditch.
Prep for Bore Under Tracks Started Today
Preparation for the bore under the tracks started today. An auger started drilling holes that will define the edges of the bore pit.
Auger drilling first hole.
The pit will contain a steel framework to protect contractors from cave-ins as they work.
See line of holes dug by auger and covered by boards.
Junction Boxes for Drainage West of Loop 494
The Northpark expansion plan calls for two junction boxes to link culverts on both sides of Northpark – one by Sonic, the other by the dry cleaners on the corner of Loop 494.
Looking west toward 59. The junction boxes will collect stormwater from the south (left) side of Northpark and convey it under the street to the north side.
Contractors will build the junction boxes first. Then they will link 6′ x 6′ reinforced concrete culverts by digging trenches across Northpark in stages. Each stage will disrupt traffic on one side of the road while traffic is routed to the other.
Changes near Exxon Station
There are two major operations closer to 59 in the Northpark expansion plan. First, Entergy must move an electrical junction box out of the right of way near the Exxon station.
Second, Exxon will lose part of its canopy and one pump island. Both encroach on the right of way.
Electrical box is circled. Dotted line shows approximateright-of-way.Setback appears wider in the foreground because of wide-angle-lens distortion.
Surface Lanes East of 494 on South Side of Northpark
In the last few days, contractors have begun clearing underbrush for what will become two surface lanes on the south side of the bridge over 494 and the railroad tracks. See below.
The tall pine trees are too large to move and will likely go to a sawmill.
Perhaps for the first time, one can truly appreciate how wide Northpark expansion will be compared to the four lanes we had. See below.
Looking E. A six-lane bridge will taper down to ground level through this area with two surface lanes on each side.Reverse angle.Looking W toward 59.
This road will move some traffic!
194 Days of Delays to Date
Due to multiple utility-related delays, the Phase I Northpark expansion project has slipped 194 days to date. The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 board reviewed that this morning.
The screen capture below shows the financial impact of LHRA/TIRZ 10 projects on the City of Houston’s Capital Improvement Plan.
It also shows expected completion dates. Phase I should wrap up next year.
Phase II should finish in 2028. It includes the portion of Northpark expansion that extends past Woodland Hills.
A detention basin, previously part of Phase II has become its own project to accelerate it. That will reduce flood risk sooner for residents along Bens Branch and the Diversion Ditch.
The detention basin project includes widening of the northernmost portion of the diversion ditch. It should start next year and finish in 2027.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20250508-DJI_20250508123557_0485_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-05-08 19:08:102025-05-09 09:17:58Crucial Operations Begin In Northpark Expansion
4/28/2025 – The pace of Northpark expansion has visibly accelerated since March despite several intense rains. Today, crews were working from one end of the project to the other. See the ten pictures below.
Looking West toward Russell-Palmer Road. Note rebar being placed for two more inbound lanes on the left.Still looking west. Just west of Russell-Palmer Road, note the addition of a right turn lane by the carwash.Farther west, contractors have finished paving about a quarter-mile stretch of two more inbound lanes on left.Even farther west, contractors have finished the sub-grade work most of the way to Loop 494 on the outbound/north side.At the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks, contractors are getting ready to bore under the tracks next week.They will use the steel pipe stockpiled in front of the trees on the right when boring under the tracks.East of Loop 494, paving on the outbound (north side of the road is almost complete, as is clearing for the inbound side of the road (left).Only one small stretch by Culver’s remains to be paved on the north side.The Exxon Station (lower right) at 59/Northpark will soon lose part of its driveway and canopy.Looking east from over US59. Contractors have virtually completed the sidewalk on the north/outbound side of Northpark.
Project Manager Ralph DeLeon had this to add. “The Kroger’s driveway opened last week. That location is now complete/permanent with regard to the project. We are close to completing the radius between south bound 494 to west bound Northpark Drive. So drivers will begin to use the new permanent lanes at that location.”
3/9/25 – Last week, contractors began transplantation of more Northpark trees. Residents said they wanted to save the trees. And early on, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority committed to saving as many as possible, especially those with ornamental value. They budgeted $700,000 for the effort.
From Loop 494/Northpark to South Entry Pond
The trees transplanted last week moved from in front of the dry cleaners on the SW corner of Northpark and Loop 494 to areas around the south entry pond on Northpark at US 59.
I wasn’t able to photograph the transplantation since it happened at night. But comparing previous and current photos shows where they moved from and to.
January 2025 photo.Trees circled in red moved.Photo taken today. That same area photographed from a different angle this afternoon shows trees are gone.File photo from 2023 of equipment used to transplant first trees in Northpark program.Contractors moved trees to the south entry pond. The most beautiful occupies a place of prominence in center of this trio. Contractors transplanted the other two trees earlier.They scattered other transplanted trees around what will become the south entry pond.
Most people will notice the trees missing from in front of the dry cleaners. But they won’t realize where they went to.
Keep Finished Design in Mind
Construction never feels pretty.
However, rest assured that the directors of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 heard residents and are acting to save the trees. It’s just hard to see with all the visual noise of construction.
When complete, the entry ponds at Northpark should look as good as those at Kingwood Drive. And that is another thing residents have requested for years.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250309-DJI_20250309152749_0215_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-03-09 19:06:112025-03-09 19:08:26Transplantation of More Northpark Trees
3/7/25 Updated at 2:30 PM– The UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) has almost finished with Northpark work that caused a three day closure of one of two major traffic arteries out of Kingwood. UPRR hopes to reopen Northpark this afternoon. They say it should be open for evening rush hour.
Reasons for Closure
UPRR installed a single 55,000 pound, 200-foot-long, welded section of track across the area where ten lanes of traffic will soon go. The single section was necessary to stabilize the track against traffic that will drive over it and utilities that will bore under it.
The bridge that will carry six lanes of traffic over the tracks and Loop 494 eliminating backups in the case of evacuation. But the bridge also will create a conflict for utilities that run wires overhead in that area.
The pictures below tell the story of what happened since my last update yesterday at noon.
By 4 PM Thursday
By 4 PM Thursday, Day 2 of the 3-day closure, UPRR crews were preparing the areas next to the tracks where asphalt will go.
Prepping areas for asphalt that will feather roadway into rail crossing.UPRR has begun demobilizing much of its heavy equipment.They also cleared and graded the staging area where they constructed the 200-foot section of track.
That means Loop 494 expansion through that area can now re-commence.
At 10 AM Friday
This morning, Friday 3/7/25, the Northpark railroad crossing was a beehive of activity. Crews poured asphalt over the gravel next to the track so that traffic could move smoothly over them.
Looking South at Loop 494/Railroad and Northpark Intersection on 3/7/25 at 10 AM.UPRR Crews were prepositioning the concrete inserts that will allow traffic in the surface lanes next to the bridge to move smoothly over the tracks.Looking N as operator preps track.
While I was there, they did not actually place any of the concrete panels. However, asphalt kept arriving.
Another load of asphalt arrived as crews spread and compacted the material to create a smooth transition with the existing concrete roadway.Adding another layer.
Reports of Train Moving Through Intersection Yesterday
Numerous people reported a train moving through the Northpark intersection yesterday. Those reports were true. But according to the railroad, the train was moving “really, really slow.”
UPRR has not yet fully stabilized the new section of track per their standards, but they are working on that now.
Reopening and Next Steps
UPRR will reopen the roadway late this afternoon, probably about 5 PM. Variables affecting that goal include the asphalt transition between the newly installed concrete panels and the adjacent roadway.
That asphalt arrived late this morning. And once placed, it must cool. But the roadway should open by rush hour this afternoon, according to UPRR.
The concrete panels needed for the future feeder road crossings and the two 10’ multi-use pathways still need to be installed. UPRR is still working on that.
At 2 PM, the UPRR crew was placing concrete panels between the tracks where turn lanes and sidewalks will cross them.Also as of 2 PM, most of the equipment including the asphalt operation had been removed from the crossing. Note the panel placement operation continuing in lower right.
UPRR also intends to place concrete panels between the tracks north (left) of the intersection above. Note the panels stacked by the white pickup in the lower left of the photo above. It is unclear whether they intend to try to do that before the re-opening.
No new signal work will be done at this time. The existing gate arms and signals will continue to operate when the roadway opens later today.
Other Northpark Work
Separately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority used the opportunity created by the railroad work to run drainage underneath Northpark in two areas. The Harper Brothers crews are also nearly finished with those, too. So that work should not impede the re-opening of Northpark.
Drainage work under Northpark is virtually complete.The last loads of asphalt were being placed as I left.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/7/25
2747 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250307-DJI_20250307100657_0196_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-03-07 11:49:242025-03-07 14:47:51UPRR Almost Finished, Northpark to Reopen This Afternoon
