FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 18, 2014



Contact: Lauren Laake (832) 393-3008

lauren.laake@houstontx.gov





Union Pacific Railroad To Begin Construction Work on Kingwood
Railroad Crossings This Week



Houston, TX - Houston City Council Member Dave Martin would like to notify Kingwood residents that the Union Pacific Railroad will begin track maintenance this week on the Hamblen Road and Kingwood Drive railroad crossings. The Hamblen Road crossing will be closed on Thursday, February 20, and the Kingwood Drive crossing will be closed on Friday, February 21, each occurring between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.



Mix asphalt will be poured at both locations that will result in the crossings being smoother and more level for drivers.



Notification signs have already been placed at each of the railroad crossings. Additional signage will be located on Highway 59 in both directions to help redirect traffic.



Council Member Martin's office has notified the Houston Police Department - Kingwood Substation of the impending work and has asked that two Mobility Response Team (MRT) officers help direct traffic and alleviate any congestion there may be as a result.



Council Member Martin thanks Kingwood residents in advance for their patience while Union Pacific completes this construction work, and will notify residents should there be any change in the schedule. For more information, please contact Council Member Martin's office at (832) 393-3008 or Juan Carreon with Union Pacific at jmcarreo@up.com. 

A couple of days to stay home or use Lake Houston Parkway. Inconvenience, yes. But those crossing are long overdue for an improvement. 

Good to know. 

Cool 

At least there was a sign up in the freeway this time. 

Hmmm...the signs all over Kingwood say it's from 9 to 4 but this release says 7 to 6. 

Hmmm...the signs all over Kingwood say it's from 9 to 4 but this release says 7 to 6.

I'd play it safe and think it's 7-6. 

Sounds like commuters will be going Northpark or over the bridge to Atascocita. 

Do these geniuses realize - that both ends of KW (lol) will be stuffed up at the same time???? 

2 days to shutdown!!!! 

It was fine at 7AM. Anyone know if it is closed now? 

It was open at 9:00 but they started the closure around 9:15, so yes, it is closed now. 

If you go up 494 to Ford Rd - it'll take you down to Mills Branch Rd. Should be pretty fast. 

If you go up 494 to Ford Rd - it'll take you down to Mills Branch Rd. Should be pretty fast.?

That's what I did last time, thinking no one else would think of it. WRONG. Mills Branch was a parking lot right after you curve to the left and head towards Northpark. 

I left work early and took the Townsen bus. Going up the HOV ramp to exit at the Townsen Park and Ride, I could see 494 headed north and it was a slow-moving river of steel and brake lights. 59 was slow and go as well.

Ended up going home via 1960 and made it with no delays. 

Any reason why UP couldn't do this work on the weekends? Or at night?

And no, Mills Branch isn't better. When they did Northpark it took my husband almost an hour to get from 59 to the stop sign on Mills Branch & Northpark. I suggest everybody goes potty before they leave work! 

I suggest everybody goes potty before they leave work!

 

1960 is backed up AT Old Mc Donald's Farm now. 

What a cluster %*C#! Traffic has been a nightmare in and around Kingwood. The usual Kingwood Dr folks were using North Park and Woodland Hills.
Nasty wreck on North Park today didn't add to the frustration AT ALL!

If you don't normally have a drink, you may just consider having one today if you have had to try to get out of or into Kingwood! 

About to leave work. Is the construction finished now? 

i'm about to leave as well....somebody look out the window for us lol 

i'm about to leave as well....somebody look out the window for us lol

I'd love to help you Mulchie, but ain't no way in HE!! I'm getting back into that mess.
Good luck getting home. Just have a lot of patience. It may have opened up by now. 

According to another "site", Kingwood Dr is now OPEN! (At 4:00pm)