The Clock Is Ticking On Northpark Drive Expansion Project

HOUSTON — Time is running out for Kingwood resident who was to share their comments on the Northpark Drive Expansion Project. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is accepting comments until Feb. 28, but Houston City Councilman Dave Martin, who represents the region, us urging residents to submit their comments now.

Northpark Drive is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in Kingwood. The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety along Northpark Drive.

The Northpark Drive Expansion Project would provide Kingwood residents with an all-weather evacuation route, and elevate Northpark Drive above the 500-year flood plain at Ben's Branch.

Provide your comments to H-GAC here.

The project includes flood mitigation and storm water detention improvements. Additionally, a bridge will be built over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, perpendicular to Northpark Drive, addressing traffic delays due to passing trains.

To see a simulation of the project's design, you can visit this website.

The Lake Houston TIRZ (TIRZ10) submitted an application for $28.3 million in federal funding through the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) process managed by H-GAC.

The City of Houston and TIRZ 10 have collected letters of support from:

• City of Houston Council Members
• Houston Mayor Turner
• State Representative Dan Huberty
• Harris County Pct. 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle
• Humble Independent School District
• Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce
• Bear Branch Trail Association
• Fosters Mill Village Community Association
• Kings Mill Subdivision
• Kingwood Area Super Neighborhood Council #43
• Kingwood Service Association
• Lone Star College Kingwood
• Kingwood Medical Center
• Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital
• Montgomery County MUD 98
• Northpark Place Community Association
• Old Vine Northpark Associates
• Sand Creek Village Community Association
• Green Tree Village Community Association
• SMA Solutions
• St. Martha's Catholic Church
• Woodridge Baptist Church
• Woodspring Forest Homeowners Association
• Woodstream Community Association
• Kingspoint Community Association
• Forest Cove Property Owners Association
• Kings Manor Homeowners Association
• Mills Branch Village Community Association.

On Jan. 16, at the Technical Advisory Committee meeting, H-GAC staff presented a draft ranking of the 2018 project applications under consideration for federal funds available through the TIP process.

The Northpark Expansion Project is currently ranked 29th out of 60 projects. It is anticipated that approximately 10 projects will be funded.

The existing rank for the Northpark Expansion Project as it is today does not meet the ranking requirement for funding.

Public comments can greatly impact a project's ranking, which is why the District E Office strongly encourages Lake Houston Area residents to support this project by participating in the public comment period.

Written comments can be mailed to H-GAC, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777. Comments from the public are also welcome via telephone calling toll free at 1-855-363-2516.

For more information, please contact Council Member Dave Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or districte@houstontx.gov.

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