Houston / Westpark Tollway construction archive

Westpark Tollway construction, March 2002

Ten photographs follow a fast-changing eastern terminus: new connector piers, a mini-storage demolition and the remains of a forty-year-old ramp that disappeared in a single afternoon.

March 16 and March 21, 2002 photographs

Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs

Connector piers spread west from the US 59 overpass.

March 16 and March 21, 2002

US 59 piers and ramp demolition

March 21 · US 59

Westward view from the US 59 overpass toward Westpark Tollway connector piers. — Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Looking west from US 59
(High resolution 500k) Looking west from the US 59 overpass. The piers for the connection ramps to the tollway are visible.

Another westward view from US 59 across Westpark Tollway construction. — Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
West from the US 59 overpass
Another view from the US 59 overpass.

Northward view from the south side of US 59 toward Westpark construction. — Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
North from the south side of US 59
This view looks north from the south side of US 59.

Mini-storage demolition

Rubble from demolition of the mini-storage facility beside the Westpark corridor. — 21 March 2002
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Mini-storage demolition
The demolition contractor is finally starting to make some progress on the demolition of the mini-storage facility.

Westpark between Rice and Chimney Rock

Wide westward view of a long line of Westpark Tollway piers between Rice and Chimney Rock. — 21 March 2002
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Elevated tollway piers west of Rice
(High resolution 210k) Looking west along Westpark between Rice and Chimney Rock, where the tollway will be on a long elevated structure.

March 16 · piers and ramp demolition

Concrete flyover piers under construction on the north side of Westpark near Rice. — Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Flyover piers near Rice
These piers are on the north side of Westpark and will be part of the flyover ramp for eastbound traffic.

Construction crew removing the former US 59 to Loop 610 connection ramp. — Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Ramp demolition at Loop 610
At Loop 610. On March 16, the ramp connecting northbound US 59 to southbound 610 was demolished to make way for the Westpark Tollway and the new southbound IH-610 feeder. The ramp will be rebuilt, of course.

Connection-ramp embankment removal

Excavators removing the earth embankment of the former connection ramp at Loop 610. — 16 March 2002
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Connection-ramp embankment removal
Removal of the connection ramp embankment.

Construction on March 21

Westpark Tollway excavation and cranes beside the Loop 610 interchange. — 21 March 2002
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Loop 610 construction
Construction on March 21.

Old Westheimer Road

Westward view of graded earth and new piers along Westpark near Old Westheimer Road. — 16 March 2002
Collection: TexasFreeway Houston construction photographs
Construction near Old Westheimer Road
(High resolution 165k)Looking west at the construction scene near Old Westheimer Road.

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From the original archive

Westpark Tollway construction, March 2002

Westpark Tollway Construction, 16-March-2002 and 21-March-2002

Back to Westpark Construction Index

In March 2002 there was substantial construction activity at the eastern end of the tollway in the section from IH-610 to US 59. On March 16, 2002, a 40-year-old ramp at the US 59/ IH-610 ramp was demolished to make way for the tollway and the southbound Loop 610 feeder road. After 40 years of service, it took just one afternoon to tear down the bridge structure. Removal of the embankment was in progress when I took the photos.

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