Tag Archive for: northpark

Northpark Making Good Progress Despite a Few Hiccups

4/25/26 – Since I last posted about the Northpark Drive Expansion Project in Kingwood eleven days ago, contractors have continued to push forward.

They have also virtually completed everything east of the bridge abutment all the way to the eastern terminus of the project near the Kingwood Diversion Ditch. Here’s an update on what is and isn’t complete in Phase I.

Eastern Part of Project Virtually Done

The entire project from US59 to the eastern terminus is about a mile. Eight-tenths of that mile is virtually complete – everything between Parkwood Baptist Church to the start of the eastern bridge abutment in front of the Quick Quack Car Wash.

In this segment of the project, I observed:

  • Medians that need to be planted with grass in some areas
  • One lane of traffic on each side of the median still blocked off
  • Traffic cones still blocking off turn lanes where new traffic control lights have not yet been activated
  • A few gaps in “multi-use pathways.” They’re those things that resemble sidewalks, but are wider.

Other than that, it’s clear sailing in wider lanes than existed before the project. See the pictures below all taken during the afternoon of April 24, 2026. The sequence goes from east to west beginning near Russell Palmer Road.

Between Parkwood Baptist and Advance Auto Parts, looking at the newly completed turn lanes at Russell Palmer.
New traffic signals at Russell Palmer are installed but not yet activated. Multi-use pathways in this area need the most help of anywhere else on the entire project.
Just beyond Russell Palmer, we can see that pathways still have a few gaps and that the median has been scraped down to the dirt.
Farther west, by Warren’s Landscaping
Still father west by Smart Storage
Approaching the entrance to Italiano’s and Kings Mill (left side).
Sherwin Williams and Quick Quack on right mark the end of the mostly completed segment.

Bridge Construction

Things get a little hairier in the last 2/10s of a mile. The east abutment is coming along well. It appears to have reached its full height or close to it.

Eastern bridge abutment

According to the new three-week look ahead schedule, contractors will begin paving up to the ramp next week.

Railroad Crossing

So far, that’s all great news. But Northpark contractors still are working out issues at the UnionPacific Railroad crossing near Loop 494.

On the south side of Northpark, two traffic signal poles still block completion of the new surface lanes. Of course, they’re needed to control traffic for now.

Note unpaved sections of new surface lanes to left of inbound traffic.
On the north side of Northpark, UPRR has installed new crossing signals, but the multi-use pathway is not complete.

Zig Zag Continues

Traffic near Loop 494 continues to curve in and out around a) the eastern bridge abutment and b) where the western bridge abutment will eventually go between Whataburger and PNC Bank.

Wide shot showing current traffic pattern near bridge
Second abutment will be built in the “dirt covered” area west of Loop 494.

Entry-Pond Excavation

Meanwhile, excavation of the south entry pond at US59 continues.

Looking N across southern pond
Excavation of the northern pond appears complete.

Contractors will apply cement and line both ponds at the same time to save money. That should happen around mid-May, 2026.

Street Illumination and Hydro-Mulch for Ditch One

The street light crew is continuing installation of street light foundations and light poles throughout the project.

Ditch 1 reestablishment has been completed.

Northpark expansion ditch one excavation
Ditch One behind businesses on the north side of Northpark has been restored to its original design parameters.

Contractors will seed the slopes with hydro-mulch during the week of 5/4/26, weather permitting.

For More Information

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 web pages associated with this project for plans, videos and construction timelines. They also include a new 3-week lookahead schedule.

You can also search this website for “Northpark” for links to close to more than 200 posts about the progress of the project.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/25/2026

3161 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Northpark Update: Ponds Get Deeper, Bridge Abutment Higher, Ditch Wider

4/15/2026 – In the quest the build the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood, there’s still much work to do. But contractors have made significant progress on Northpark in the last few weeks.

The two ponds that bracket Northpark Drive at the US59 entrance are getting deeper. Meanwhile, the bridge abutment east of the railroad tracks is getting higher. And Ditch One behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark is getting wider.

Also of note: concrete for the surface lanes that will flank the bridge is creeping ever closer to the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.

See details and photos below.

Entry Ponds Deepen

Contractors are deepening the two entry ponds at US59. Last week, it appeared that they had reached the designed depth in the north pond. Then came the rains. As you can see in the photo below, it had some significant erosion. And in this photo taken this morning, it appears contractors have returned to remove more silt.

North pond at Northpark and 59 on 4/15/26
Work on the south pond had paused this morning, while the focus returned to the north pond.

It appears that contractors made significant progress on the south pond. But you can clearly see the effects of erosion from the heavy rains.

To prevent similar erosion in the future, the ponds will be lined with concrete. That work should be completed by the end of next month.

Abutment Getting Higher

An abutment is a structure at the end of a bridge that absorbs lateral forces and moves traffic from ground level onto the clear-span portion of the bridge. Contractors are building the first of two abutments east of the railroad tracks in front of Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts. See below.

They started erecting walls last month. And now, they’re filling the area between them with layer after layer of stabilized sand and dirt.

Eastern abutment as of 4/15/26. Looking east.
Reverse angle shows how dirt between the walls is being layered in and compacted.
Side shot shows the work is already much taller than vehicles.

Drainage Ditch Widened

A drainage ditch (Ditch One) will take excess stormwater from Northpark and route it through a drainage ditch behind the businesses that line the north side of Northpark.

Ditch One has been widened and deepened back to its original dimensions. It had not been cleaned out for approximately 18 years!
Ditch One from ground level. Hydromulching will begin soon to protect the banks from erosion.

UPRR Crossing

Two surface turn lanes will flank each side of the bridge over the railroad tracks and Loop 494. Below, you can see the status of their completion.

Looking slightly E over the UPRR tracks.

On the north (l), pavement is complete up to the last two or three feet on each side of the tracks. On the south (r) pavement also stops short, but more work still needs to be done on the surface lanes themselves.

Keep in mind that after contractors complete paving, UPRR needs to install gates. And after that, a signal crew must make the temporary signals operational before the crossings become operational.

Loop 494

Loop 494 is virtually complete, but the Northpark intersection is not. This will be the focus of work in the near future.

Wider shot looking N along 494.
From opposite direction, you can see how wide Loop 494 will be where it approaches Northpark.

Other News

In coming days, crews will also:

  • Complete patches of sidewalks skipped due to utility conflicts on the project
  • Backfilling medians in preparation for final sod and seed
  • Install permanent traffic signals at Russell-Palmer Road and Northpark (expected completion by mid-April)

Please pack your patience, especially at the Russell-Palmer Intersection. Kings Mill residents use the intersection to make a U-turn.  The new traffic signals require significant underground work, a new traffic-signal control box, new signal poles, new conduit, new wiring and new programming. 

Caution

Please note: Work will continue in the center median of Northpark in preparation to put traffic in its final configuration. There are and will be many obstructions and potential hazards in this area, including construction workers and vehicles.

DO NOT cross into the work zone. Make turns only from delineated cross over areas. 

For More Information

Consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website Northpark Overpass Project page. This includes a 3-week look-ahead schedule, plans, simulated videos of the completed project, and more.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/15/26

3151 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Northpark Update: Rail Crossings, Bridge, Turn Lanes, Lights and More

2/27/26 – Within the next week, Northpark Drive expansion contractors will likely start paving the last sections of surface road across the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks and Loop 494. The completion of surface roads will clear the way to finish demolishing the old lanes now being used to get traffic across the tracks. And once the old pavement is gone, work on the bridge can begin in earnest.

The holdup to date has been installation of the railroad traffic signals for the new surface lanes. But UPRR has almost completed that work. They will install two gates on both inbound and outbound sides (a change to meet new code requirements). Work on the signals and feeder roads should be complete by late May or early June.

In other news:

  • Northbound 59 once again has two dedicated right-hand turn lanes onto Northpark inbound. That eliminated a huge backup.
  • With the exception of some small areas near the railroad tracks and loop 494, two completely paved inbound lanes now stretch all the way from 59 past Russell-Palmer Road.
  • Contractors are installing street lamps.
  • They are also running culverts north-to-south next to the railroad tracks under where the bridge will go.

See the pictures below taken on 2/27/26 at approximately 4PM.

Turn Lanes Off Northbound 59 Feeder

On 11/28/25, I took a shot like the one below and traffic was backed up for blocks. Today, on a Friday afternoon rush hour traffic was breezing through thanks to the opening of the second inbound turn lane. See below.

Looking S. With the completion of two inbound lanes (lower left), both northbound turn lanes on the feeder could be opened.

Bridge Approaches

When complete, Northpark will feature a bridge with three lanes in each direction that carries traffic over the UPRR tracks and Loop 494. That’s in keeping with plans for Northpark to become an all-weather evacuation route.

Looking E at the six lanes where the bridge will go.
Looking W toward 59. Six lanes for the second bridge approach will go in the dirt area (center).

Railroad Crossings for Surface Lanes

In the two pictures above, you can see that the two outside feeder lanes that will parallel the bridge are already complete with the exception of the short stretch across the tracks. But move a little closer to the tracks, and you can see that Harper Brothers is paving that last surface-lane segment approaching the tracks.

After contractors complete the second outbound surface lane above, they will have less than 40 yards to complete the surface lanes to/from 59.

This shot, even closer, shows that last 40 yards.

The surface lanes will connect with the two rectangular concrete sections that UPRR installed last year across its tracks.
Note the controller box (shiny silver in lower left) that will control inbound RR crossing gates. Comparable equipment is being installed out of frame to the right for outbound gates.
The unpaved section in front of the dry cleaners on the corner of 494 and Northpark is the only other unpaved surface-road section aside from the railroad crossings.

Drainage and Lights

Culvert Installation. Photo courtesy Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority (LHRA).
Pouring foundation for street light. Photo courtesy of LHRA.

If you now drive from the 59 feeder road all the way down past Russell Palmer to the end of the project, you can see that almost all the foundations are in on both sides of the street.

“For each, the contractors drill a hole, put in the rebar, backfill it with concrete, then put all the conduit and pole boxes in,” said Ralph De Leon, the LHRA project manager. “We’re getting really close to having streetlights all the way down on both sides, behind the curb.” 

He added, “They’ll be LED lights. It’ll be illuminated like it’s ever been before in history.”

For More Information

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website project pages, including a 3-week lookahead schedule.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/27/26

3104 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Northpark Contractors Pouring Concrete Again

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 additional forward-looking information, consult the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website, including their 3-week look-ahead schedule.

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

Northpark Update: Drainage on Both Sides of UPRR Tracks Finally Connected

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.
Northpark
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.

For More Information and a Timetable

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority Website and their three-week lookahead schedule.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 12/6/2025

3021 Days Since Hurricane Harvey

Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion

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

Northpark Contractors Begin Mobilizing for Bridge Construction

11/17/25 – Contractors for the Northpark Drive expansion project have officially begun mobilizing to build the bridge that will go over the UnionPacific Railroad (UPRR) Tracks and Loop 494. This morning, I received notice that a piece of equipment called a “Kelly Bar” arrived at the job site. It will be used to drill 100-foot deep piers for the bridge.

ChatGPT says, “A telescopic Kelly bar is made of nested, hollow, steel tubes of successively smaller diameter which slide within one another, allowing the overall length to extend or retract depending on drilling depth.”

Think of an extension pole that can reach the extreme depths needed to support a bridge that will carry heavy loads.

Kelly bar being hoisted off transport truck will be used for hydro-excavation.

At the monthly meeting of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 on 11/13/2025, Project Manager Ralph De Leon described next steps on the project.

Bridge Construction Will Likely Start on West Side of Loop 494

Contractors will likely start building the bridge on the west side of Loop 494 and work their way east. That’s because UPRR needs to move an electrical line that powers their railroad traffic signals. The line will move to a new pole just north (left) of the junction box shown below. The old pole is in the way of new surface turn lanes that will carry westbound traffic.

Before traffic can be rerouted to new surface lanes that will be built on the left, electricity for the RR signals must move from the old vine-covered pole to another one out of frame on the left.

Note how traffic swerves right in the photo above. Until that pole moves, traffic must use the old surface lanes, which are in the bridge’s path.

Said De Leon, “So, we cannot build our feeder roads. The goal was to put everybody on the outside lanes to create an opening in the middle for the bridge.”

So, instead of building the bridge starting east of the tracks, contractors will likely start on the west where barriers to rerouting traffic do not currently exist.

Looking west from Loop 494. Note how new eastbound pavement on left is mostly complete.

Eastbound Surface Lanes Close to Concrete Pours

De Leon said contractors could finish the eastbound lanes between Loop 494 and US59 as early as Friday, 11/22/25. That would let contractors tear out the old eastbound lanes and create room to start building the bridge in the middle – independent of what UPRR does with the electricity for its crossing signals.

East of Loop 494, those eastbound surface lanes on the south side of Northpark are also nearing completion. Subsurface prep appears to be complete or nearly so.

Looking east toward Russell Palmer from in front of Dunkin’. Note the asphalt in the new lanes on the right.

Concrete comes next. “Once they finish that section, you’ll be able to drive on the new lanes on the south side all the way down past Russell Palmer. So, we’re close to getting everybody out of the middle on the eastbound lanes,” said De Leon. In other news…

Drainage Junction Boxes by UPRR Tracks Half Done

One of the two giant junction boxes by the UPRR tracks is now virtually complete. The boxes are the last link that will carry drainage from west of 494 to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.

Junction box cast in place west of UPRR tracks. The huge opening on the front will connect to a culvert coming under Loop 494. The back of the box (top of frame) is already connected to twin 5′ culverts under the tracks.

Once work on this junction box is complete, contractors can finish Loop 494 paving according to De Leon. “So, then 494 will have a broader cross-section. That’ll be great,” he said. Note how the junction box currently constricts 494 traffic in the photo below.

Looking S along Loop 494 where Northpark crosses L to R.

Meanwhile, work is just beginning on the box east of Loop 494 where boring started.

Junction box east of tracks. Note twin culverts, concrete floor, and contractors erecting rebar for side walls.

Focus on Driveway Construction

De Leon also discussed the status of business driveways that branch off Northpark. “If you’re going westbound from that new Chevron station near the Diversion Ditch, all those driveways are still blocked out. They have to finish those driveways. And that will keep them busy for a couple of months.” There are a lot of businesses! See the barriers below.

Looking W from Russell Palmer Drive at driveway construction.

For More Information

See the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 website for Project 1013.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/17/25

3002 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Major Northpark Milestone: Bore Under Tracks Completed

10/18/2025 – Yesterday, on 10/17/2025, the Northpark Expansion project reached a major milestone. Some might say the project cleared a major hurdle, except the hurdle is about 15 feet below the UnionPacific Railroad tracks.

Whatever you call it, the completion of the second bore under the railroad tracks caused jubilation among board members of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10. Utility conflicts and buried debris delayed completion of the bores and forced construction crews to tackle other parts of the project out of sequence.

A collective sigh of relief could be heard … even through emails.

The twin bores will convey stormwater under the railroad tracks from the west side of Loop 494 to the east side, and from there to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch.

Path of drainage from entry ponds. Additional drainage from the businesses along Northpark will go through culverts under the street where the center ditch used to be.

The boring operation began in May 2025 after years of negotiation with the railroad. Crews had completed the first bore with little trouble, but then ran into a buried, out-of-place water line with the second bore that set them back months.

Next Major Steps

Crews must still place culverts under Northpark itself west of Loop 494 to get stormwater from the south side to the north side. Not necessarily in this order, they must also:

  • Complete new surface lanes on the south side of inbound Northpark
  • Finish driveways on the north side of outbound Northpark
  • Build junction boxes in the two bore pits
  • Work with UnionPacific as it rewires its signals for the new railroad crossing configuration
  • Clear “Ditch One” behind the businesses on the north side of Northpark
  • Pave the surface lanes that will go on either side of the bridge
  • Begin work on the foundation for the bridge and its abutments
  • Install permanent traffic lights at I-69
  • Finish paving Loop 494.

Photos Taken on 10/16-17/25

The photos below show progress made this week.

The yellow truck and crane in the center are demobilizing boring equipment.

This ten second video shows the augur breaking through into the receiving pit.

Video provided by Northpark project manager Ralph De Leon

Here’s how the two pits looked today.

(Looking E.) Crews have removed all equipment from the bore pit on the east side of the tracks.
In the receiving pit west of the tracks, you can now clearly see twin 5′ bores...all the way through.
When I visited the site, the bore contractors were already demobilizing their equipment.
After crews build junction boxes in the pits and connect the drainage under Loop 494, paving crews will be able to complete this last segment and eliminate backups like you see above (upper right).

Elsewhere along Northpark

Friday afternoon, crews were busy working from one end of the project to the other.

Looking W toward I-69 at top of frame. Inbound lanes on the left still need to be paved. The bridge will begin in the foreground where the outbound lanes bow to the right.
From opposite direction, looking E, outbound surface lanes will connect across the two bore pits to the lane already paved in front of the Shell Station (lower left).
That will straighten out a major kink in the traffic.
Closer to I-69, private contractors hired by the Exxon jobber, Honey Farms, are reworking the stations apron to make room for drainage, sidewalk, street and lighting improvements.

For More Information

Visit the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website to see a discussion of the next steps and a 3-week lookahead schedule.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 10/18/25

2972 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Major Northpark Traffic Change Coming Next Week

7/31/2025 – According to the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website, contractors will soon move all eastbound traffic on Northpark Drive between Italiano’s and GS Tire & Auto to newly constructed lanes on the south side of the thoroughfare. This will eliminate two major swerves within 3,000 feet and straighten out inbound traffic east of Loop 494.

The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website indicates the change will happen on the night of 8/5/2025. However, I have been unable to confirm that.

Photos of Lane-Change Areas Taken Today

All photos below were taken today starting from the east and moving west.

Looking West from G&S. Inbound traffic will move to the south (left).

The shift to the south will go past Russell Palmer … all the way to Italiano’s.

Looking west from Russell Palmer (lower left). From this point, traffic in BOTH directions will shift south and demo of old outbound lanes will begin.
Still looking west. This detour will also straighten out. Italiano’s is out of frame in upper left. Through this stretch, traffic in both directions will shift left (south)

After contractors open up the new eastbound lanes, they will shift westbound traffic to the south from NextCare Urgent Care to Russel Palmer. They will then begin demolition of the old westbound lanes between those two points.

Use extra caution as people get used to the changes and as traffic increases with people returning from vacation.

Bore Under Railroad Tracks Still Stalled

For several weeks now, boring for the twin 60″ pipes underneath the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks has been stalled due to the discovery of utility conflicts. The Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website simply says, “All work on UPRR ROW has been halted due to further unknown conditions found in the field on 7/25/2025.”

The originating pit for the bores east of the UnionPacific tracks.
A few feet west of the tracks, the bores have not yet reached the receiving pit.

The project planners intended to convey excess stormwater west of the tracks under them to the Kingwood Diversion Ditch and Bens Branch. But contractors must resolve the utility conflicts (shown above) and place junction boxes for the drainage in both pits before they can connect the drainage on each side of the tracks.

So close and yet so far. Only a few feet separate the two pits. But the utility conflicts are holding up a major part of the job.

Loop 494 Progress

Meanwhile contractors have made good progress on Loop 494 both north and south of Northpark.

Looking S across Northpark at new northbound lanes (left) one of which is mostly finished..

Looking north from the other side of Northpark…

Contractors have begun placing rebar to expand the roadbed.

After crews finish paving the northbound lanes of Loop 494, they will begin the eastbound lanes of Northpark west of Loop 494.

Between 59 and Loop 494

Between Loop 494 and 59, contractors are currently placing junction boxes for drainage underneath where the inbound surface lanes will go. Today, you could see them placing one of the boxes in front of Whataburger.

Drainage junction box in front of Whataburger on right.

According to the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority, “They will then move into the center median of Northpark west of LP 494, to begin work on the storm laterals and structures, which include the detention-pond equalizer pipe.” See below.

Recently demolished center section of Northpark will be focus of next phase of drainage work.

To see progress since the last update, compare photos in this post from 7/21/2025.

In Other Northpark News

Crews have started preparing the base for what will become new inbound surface lanes just east of the UP Railroad Tracks.

Looking E across from Public Storage and Dunkin’ Donuts

It’s not easy to see how the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle come together when you’re driving. Keep your eyes on the road and check back here periodically for progress reports.

Yesterday, as I came in on Northpark from 59, it took almost a half hour to get the one block from 59 to Loop 494. Because of the construction near Whataburger, inbound traffic was down to one lane for a short while. But it was back open this morning.

Such closures can be hard to predict and frustrating. To the degree you can, I would try to avoid Northpark during construction hours. But also be sensitive to the hardships placed on local merchants. Go out of your way to patronize them when you can.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/31/2025

2893 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Demolition of Old Westbound Lanes Begins on Northpark

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.

Northpark Enclave construction plan detail
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.