Houston / Westpark Tollway construction archive
Westpark Tollway construction, December 19, 2001
Construction had just started at Westpark’s eastern end. These four photographs pair the emerging Loop 610 trench with the demolition of the Houston Garden Center and a last, unexpectedly specific relocation sign.
December 19, 2001 photographs
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
The Westpark trench begins beside Loop 610.
December 19, 2001
Loop 610 construction and Garden Center demolition
December 19, 2001
↗ EnlargeWestpark construction at Loop 610
This view looks north with 610 on the right. The Westpark Tollway eastbound main lanes and the west loop southbound feeder will be trenched underneath US 59 and the connecting ramps.
↗ EnlargeHouston Garden Center demolition
The Houston Garden Center located at the southwest corner of the 59/610 interchange was demolished in December. This location has a very interesting history. It started as a dumping ground for excavated earth in the 1970's during the 1970's construction boom. In the mid 1970's, the large mound of dirt was a water slide. Since then, it has had numerous "alternative" uses, including an artificial ski slope, amphitheater, and other strange uses that I can't remember. It finally seemed to have found some stability with the Houston Garden Center. Well, now the property has been retired from commercial use.
↗ EnlargeGarden Center demolition debris
Another view of the demolition.
Garden Center relocation
↗ EnlargeHouston Garden Center relocation sign
From the original archive
Westpark Tollway construction, December 19, 2001
Westpark Tollway Construction, 19-December-2001
Major work was just getting started in December 2001. Work was underway on the eastern terminus at 610, where the eastbound tollway lanes will pass underneath 59 in a trench. By January 2002, work at 610 was at full speed and causing major traffic disruptions to US 59.