Minneapolis – Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Garfield Avenues S.
Scheduled Start Date: March 21, 2022
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or number 101573312.
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
Beginning Monday, March 21, and lasting into May 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along Franklin Avenue from Colfax to Garfield Avenues S. and along Bryant and Aldrich Avenues S. just north and south of Franklin Avenue. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.
During this time, the northern westbound lanes on Franklin Avenue will be closed. The crews will leave two-way traffic open in the southern lanes. The crews will work with businesses on maintaining access.
What is the anticipated timeline?
In the week of March 21, a crew from Q3 Contracting has closed the parking on the north and south sides of Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Lyndale Avenues to remove the center islands.
For approximately five weeks beginning on Monday, March 28, a crew from Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas main and connect the service lines to this main. This will happen along the north side of Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Lyndale Avenues. During this time, the parking restrictions will continue on the north and south sides of Franklin Avenue while the northern westbound lane is closed on Franklin Avenue.
Residents living on Bryant and Aldrich Avenues S. north of Franklin Avenue can still access their homes and park on these streets. However, Bryant Avenue S. will be closed at Franklin Avenue while Aldrich Avenue S will remain open.
After this work is done, Michels will open Bryant and Aldrich Avenue S. at Franklin Avenue. They will replace the main and connect the service lines to this main on Franklin Avenue from Lyndale to Garfield Avenues S. After that work is done, the crew will perform the same work on Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Colfax Avenues S.
Michels Corporation plans to finish the project’s natural gas work within May. Q3 Contracting will follow with restoration. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work.
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.
