Eden Prairie - Neill Lake Road and Basswood Road Neighborhood - Project Updates

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing on the project. Two crews from Michels Corporation are continuing to connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains and to move inside meters outside. A crew from Q3 Contracting has been following and restoring the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

The project’s houses north of Anderson Lakes Parkway have had their service line and meter work done. Restoration has been in progress.

One Michels Corporation crew estimates that the project’s remaining natural gas work will take approximately 3 or 4 weeks to complete.

Crews from CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, are continuing to replace the project’s natural gas lines. While one crew is finishing the replacements of the mains, two other crews have been connecting the service lines to the new mains and moving inside meters outside.

One crew is working on Neill Lake Road just west of Fox Run Circle. They anticipate that the project’s remaining service line and meter work will take at least one more month to finish.

In the week of August 8, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the natural gas main on the east side of Neill Lake Drive between the 8100 block of Anderson Lakes Parkway and the 9150 block of Anderson Lake Drive. Work on the west side begins this week. They anticipate that the main replacement on this road will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, parking may be restricted as needed.

Two other Michels Corporation crews began connecting the natural gas service lines to the new mains, following the main crew’s route.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the natural gas main under the following streets: the west boulevard of Basswood Road between Anderson Lake Parkway and Black Maple Drive; the west boulevard of Deer Path; the east boulevard of Black Maple Drive; and the north boulevard of Black Maple Drive Circle.

The crew anticipates that the main replacement on these roads will take approximately two weeks. During this time, parking will be restricted on both sides of Basswood Road in this area.

Another Michels Corporation crew will be following the main crew starting Tuesday, August 16 to connect the service lines to the new main and move inside meters outside.

From Monday, August 8 into fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Eden Prairie. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

Parking, sidewalk, and lane closures may occur. Flaggers may be on site. No full road closures are expected with this project. The crews will work along Neill Lake Road, Basswood Road, and select streets off these roads.

The customer will receive a CenterPoint Energy postcard in the mail typically within one or two weeks prior to the day when the Michels Corporation crews will perform the work. The crews will have CenterPoint Energy-authorized photo IDs stating that they are employees of Michels Corporation.

After the customer receives the postcard, the foreman will arrive at the customer’s house to schedule an appointment that typically meets with the customer’s schedule. If the customer isn’t home when they arrives, he will leave a door tag with his contact information to schedule an appointment with him.

Customers are advised to set aside a two- to four-hour time frame for the inside-to-outside gas meter move. They are also advised to mark their privately-installed utilities such as dog fences or sprinklers. Marking can be accomplished with tools such as spray paint or utility flags. The foreman will access the natural gas meter inside the house, move the meter outside, and relight the natural gas appliance pilot lights after the new meter has been relocated.

Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of the service lines to the new mains. Areas affected by our work will be restored to their original condition.

On the soft surfaces such as boulevards and lawns, various erosion control measures keep the restored area moist, hold seed in the soil, and enhance seed germination. If an erosion blanket is needed it is secured in place with staples. The mesh is a wood fiber that will completely degrade. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the blanket.