Dear residents,

Since my first term in office, I've been committed to improving mobility in the Kingwood area and am very proud of the great strides the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10 (LHRA/TIRZ 10) has made over the last decade. This process was kicked off by our extraordinary Kingwood Area Mobility Study Steering Committee. The journey has been long and filled with many challenges but we are finally at the tipping point when it comes to reducing congestion in the Kingwood Area by expanding Northpark Drive. I am excited to announce the groundbreaking for the Northpark Drive Overpass Project is scheduled for Thursday, April 13, weather permitting. The LHRA Board awarded the contract to Harper Brothers Construction for construction during their December Board meeting.

The groundbreaking is happening during the mobilization phase. In the coming weeks, residents can expect to see the contractor moving equipment, supplies, and materials in preparation for construction commencing soon. Once construction commences, please be aware of flagmen and orange traffic cones that will be put in place on-site to help with traffic flow through the construction zone as the project may require a one-lane closure. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. Businesses and residents will have access to driveways and sidewalks at all times and may experience an increase in noise levels due to trucks and equipment in the area. For a detailed traffic plan during construction, residents can view the plans here (pages 43-163).

The design and engineering plans for the Northpark Drive Overpass Project were completed earlier this year and went out for bid this summer. A visual of the design can be seen here. It took many months to go through the process of acquiring property for the right-of-way necessary to expand Northpark Drive.

The Northpark Drive Overpass Project is expected to alleviate congestion, enhance accessibility, and increase safety in the Kingwood area by widening Northpark Drive from four to six lanes between I-69 and Russell Palmer Road, along with adding a grade separation at Texas State Loop 494 and the Union Pacific Railroad crossing. The 2015 Kingwood Area Mobility Study, commissioned by TIRZ 10, concluded this project is critical to ensuring public safety.

Congratulations and thank you to the LHRA/TIRZ 10 Board Members for reaching this incredible milestone!

The District E Office will be closed in observance of Good Friday, on Friday, April 7, wishing all who celebrate a Happy Easter.

Sincerely,