Scheduled 2022 Start Date: Late April 2022
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or number 99387018 (for the plastic main replacement) or
100352393 (for the steel main replacement).
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
Beginning in the week of September 27, lasting into late fall 2021, pausing for the winter, resuming in spring 2022, and lasting into summer 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along the following streets:
- 27th Street between Emerson and 3rd Avenues S.
- Aldrich and Pleasant Avenues S. from 27th to 26th Streets W.
- Garfield, Grand, and 2nd Avenues S. from 27th to 28th Streets W.
- Blaisdell Avenue S. from 26th to 28th Streets W.
- 28th Street W. from Blaisdell to 1st Avenues S.
In the fall of 2021, Michels Corporation replaced the first of the project’s two natural gas mains. It was small-diameter plastic that was bored underground. The crews connected service lines to the new main and moved inside residential meters outside. This spring, a crew will return to finish the remaining service line connections and meter moves on Pleasant Avenues S. and the rest of the project’s streets east of Pleasant Avenue S.
From the week of May 16 into early fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor will replace the second main, which will be large-diameter steel. Since the crews weld the pieces of the pipe together, the steel main replacement requires open excavation and takes longer to install than the small-diameter plastic main. Time spent on each block will vary due to the size of the block, the steel offsets, the restoration preparation, and the weather.
Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by this work. Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. The City of Minneapolis will pave the blacktop, and Q3 Contracting will pour the concrete base. There will not be any assessment for constituents.
What are the traffic impacts for July and early August?
During the replacement of the second main, a few blocks may be closed at a time. As the crews will cross intersections, they will keep traffic open while closing at least one lane. Local access will be maintained. Steel plates will be used as needed for driveway crossings.
Below is a list of the anticipated July and early August dates that Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting plan to respectively replace the natural gas steel main and restore the affected areas. In areas where the crews are working, 27th Street will be closed to through traffic. Unless otherwise noted, the cross streets will remain open:
-
A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced the large-diameter natural gas steel main on 27th Street W. from Blaisdell to Harriet Avenues S. This area is planned to be paved and opened by Wednesday, July 27.
- From Thursday, July 14 to Friday, August 5, 27th Street W. will be closed from Colfax to Emerson Avenues S. During this time, the main will be replaced and the road will be paved.
- On Wednesday, July 20, the crew will close 27th Street W. from Blaisdell Avenue to 1st Avenue, keeping the intersection of Nicollet Avenue open until Friday, July 22. From Friday, July 22 to Friday, July 29, the crew will close the intersection of Nicollet Avenue. Detour signs will lead through traffic west on 24th Street, south on Lyndale Avenue, east on 28th Street, and north on 1st Avenue.
- On Monday, August 1, the crew will close 27th Street E. from 1st Avenue to Stevens Avenue. While the crew crosses 1st Avenue, they plan to maintain two-way traffic with at least one lane closure. When the crew has replaced the main up to Stevens Avenue, the next closure will happen from Stevens Avenue to 3rd Avenue.
What is CenterPoint Energy’s COVID-19 protocol?
The construction crews and personnel will continue to use the
Covid-19 Customer Permission Flyer, which requests customer permission prior to entering homes. Personnel, contractors and CenterPoint Energy employees will continue to practice CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, sanitary practices and wearing face masks when entering customer homes.
What if I have an inside gas meter?
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 arrive, they will leave a door tag with their contact information to schedule an appointment with them.
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.
What should I expect during restoration?
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. For photo examples, please visit our
Restoration Practices page.
