Construction on the expansion of northpark drive from four lanes to six lanes could begin in 2019. Construction on the expansion of Northpark Drive from four lanes to six lanes could begin in 2019.[/caption]

The Houston City Council will vote in June whether to shift $18 million toward the expansion of Northpark Drive from four to six lanes between Hwy. 59 and Woodland Hills Drive, said Jessica Beemer, north sector manager for the office of Houston City Council Member Dave Martin.

The funding was originally earmarked for the expansion of Kingwood Drive on the city of Houston's 2018 Capitol Improvement Plan.

With city of Houston funds combined with bonds taken out by the Kingwood Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 10, the $60 million project can move forward in the first quarter of 2019 as opposed to 2021, said Stan Sarman, chairman of TIRZ 10 and the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority.

The expansion will be split into two phases. Phase I will stretch from Hwy. 59 to near Russell Palmer Road, Sarman said. Construction could begin early in 2019 after right of way and easements necessary for the project are garnered, Sarman said.

For Phase II funding, the TIRZ will continue working to secure federal funds to combine with bond funding.

"I think this is a good move both ways," Sarman said. "Thanks to the mayor for allowing us to use the funds so we can get moving on it."