Northpark traffic is getting worse and worse, but it seemed to get dramatically worse all at once last year (?). A guy at the window tint shop said it was when Chick-Fil-A and big Kroger opened, but I don't know. I keep hoping it's temporary. Does anyone know what pushed things over the edge into two-lane parking lot? 

My personal theory is they have set the light timers so it only lets like 6 cars through the light at a time- for the sole purpose of ticking enough of us off that we are begging them to widen the roads.. 

I was thinking it had gotten much worse too. WLH to 59 yesterday 35 min. What I couldn't get over was outbound traffic was heavier than inbound, and it was at 5PM. 

Does anybody know any information on the diversion of Kingwood Dr. Exit off of 59 to Northpark Dr. I saw a sign on 59 but didn't get the details. 

The sign says something to the effect of using Northpark as an alternate route until after May 10 when the Kingwood Drive construction is supposed to be completed. 

So, as if Northpark isn't bad enough now, we now get all of Kingwood Dr. traffic added to the insanity. Can hardly wait. 

Despite the sign, KWD was 2 lanes all the way to the back. At least it was yesterday. 

"Despite the sign, KWD was 2 lanes all the way to the back. At least it was yesterday."

I take Ford Rd, but now that Is beginning to suck by the time I get to mills branch 

I might be regretting mentioning Ford road now :\ 

I might be regretting mentioning Ford road now :\

To late now! lol 

There are several ways out of Kingwood if you don't want to sit in the parking lots known as Kingwood Dr. and Northpark. There is of course Hamblen, and ford road thru porter.And there is a new way I haven't tried yet through that new neighborhood on Northpark across from North woodland hills. My dad has taken it but i haven't, you go through the neighborhood and it takes you to 494. Also if you turn on Greenoak from Kingwood Dr you can work your way through that neighborhood and come out on 494 also.And if all else fails go all the way around to 1960 then to 59. LOL. I haven't gotten that desperate yet. 

The traffic is increasing because the number of houses has increased. Look at the number of houses in the two new subdivisions off of North Park. It's worse this week because of the lane closures on Kingwood Drive. The population of Kingwood has increased by 20,000 people in the last 15 years.

The intersection of North Park and 494 does need to be changed. A dedicated right turn lane and a longer left turn lane would do much to ease the flow of traffic out of Kingwood. 

NOOOO dont tell them about Ford rd!!! hahah I use to stay in the back and i would never tell anyone about the hidden way in :)

Once Ford rd turns into Mills Branch you can cut through N. Kingwood Forest takes you to Mills Branch Village then you can make your way to NorthPark. 

I wonder what it will be like when they build that middle school and those apartments open : 

NP is a nightmare, Way before the KW detour.
We live at Woodland Hills and it now takes up 25/30 minutes to get to 59. It is absurd.
I wonder what it will be like when they build that middle school and those apartments open :
This will be even worse. The ppl living in the apartments are not going to go to 1314 to Uturn to go 59 South. They will turn R at 494 and NP and congest it even more. So glad we are leaving the area. Just think all the land for sale at the front of NP (in front of kings Mill) will one day be something to add to the congestion. 

Couldn't agree with you more Photomomof2! Im outta here.... I started working downtown close to 10 yrs. ago & it would take me 40-45 minutes now I have to leave at least 1 hr and 5 minutes before & I'm still late sometimes. I'm not a slow driver... 

The middle school is already open. It opened at the beginning of school. It's just beyond the new church 

My husband thinks the Porter people are crossing through Northpark to get to Loop 494 or 59. I too believe the commuters causing the congestion are not soley Kingwood residents. 

I saw some traffic-assessing cables across Mills Branch/Ford Rd on either side of the NP intersection. My guess is they're looking to put a light there.
Haven't seen the cables anywhere else, though I have seen the traffic-assessing cameras on lights throughout KW lately. 

That would be awesome Slider152. i also think they need a light at (Northpark at Hidden Pines), (Northpark at Bassingham) ,(Woodland Hills and Tree Lane) ,(Westlake Houston at Kings View Dr.) It would slow people down and give others time to come off side streets safely. 

I'm sure if I lived in those areas I would agree. I live in Mills Branch though, and it already takes me 20-30 mins (on a good day) to get to 494 in the morning on NP with only 3 lights. If 2 more are added, I might as well just sell my house and sleep at work. The one at mills branch/ford rd would be good though as those are both major thoroughfare intersections. 

My personal theory is they have set the light timers so it only lets like 6 cars through the light at a time- for the sole purpose of ticking enough of us off that we are begging them to widen the roads..?

I think you are right! 

Begging is good. 

New neighborhoods and new businesses. The price we are paying for growth.

Eventually a new little suburb will take on the "livable forest" mentality and people will move there. Then after a while they will complain about the lack of quality restaurants and shopping. Quality restaurants and shopping will move in to meet the needs and then the denizens will complain about traffic and growth. A never ending cycle.