Minneapolis - Minnehaha Residential Paving - Project Updates

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has been connecting the natural gas service lines to the new main under the east side of the road and sidewalk of 43rd Avenue S. between 53rd and 54th Streets E. During this time, parking will be restricted on both sides of the streets in this area. Once the work is completed there, the crew is moving north on 43rd Avenue S. between 52nd and 53rd Streets E.

The crew is done replacing the natural gas main in the intersections along 52nd Street E between 43rd and 46th Avenues S. In the week of May 16, they will replace the main in the intersection of 47th Street E. and 52nd Avenue S. and on 40th Avenue S. from 54th Street E. to 300 feet south under the sidewalk. They plan to finish replacing the project’s natural gas mains by Wednesday, May 18.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has replaced the natural gas main under the east sidewalk of 43rd Avenue S. between 52nd and 54th Streets E. During this time, parking will be restricted on the east side of 43rd Avenue S.

In the week of May 2, the crew plans to replace the main under the north sidewalk of 52nd Street E. between 43rd and 45th Avenues S. During this time, parking will be restricted on the north side of 52nd Street E.

In the weeks of May 9 and 16, the crew plans to connect the new main to the existing intersecting mains at the intersections along 52nd Street E. between 43rd and 47th Avenues S. Traffic will remain open during this time.

From Thursday, April 21 to Saturday, April 23, a crew from Michels Corporation, Centerpoint Energy's authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas line under the east sidewalk on 40th Avenue S. from 50th to 52nd Streets E. During this time, parking will be restricted on the east side of 40th Avenue S. in this area.

They will move their traffic signs as they replace the main under the east sidewalk of 43rd Avenue S. from 52nd to 54th Streets E. They anticipate replacing the main in this area for approximately five business days. During this time, parking will be restricted on the east side of 40th Avenue S. in this area.

From Monday, April 18 into summer or fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis’s Minnehaha Neighborhood. 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 outside the limits of the City of Minneapolis’s paving project.

Along the following streets, the crew will replace natural gas mains, connect service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside: 40th Avenue S. from 50th to 52nd Streets E. and just north of 54th Street E.; 43rd Avenue S. from 52nd to 54th Streets E.; and 52nd Street E. from 43rd to 47th Streets E.

Along the following streets, the crew will only connect the service lines to the new mains and move any inside meters outside: 40th Avenue S. from 49th to 50th Streets E.; 41st Avenue S. from 49th to 54th Streets E.; 43rd Avenue S. from 50th to 52nd Streets E.; 44th to 48th Avenues S. from Hiawatha Avenue to 54th Street E.; and Hiawatha Lane from 53rd to 54th Streets E.

During this time, lane shifts, parking restrictions, and road and sidewalk closures may occur. Parking will be restricted in areas of active construction. If one sidewalk is closed, the opposite side will be open. The following streets will be closed to through traffic at separate times: 40th Avenue S. from 50th to 52nd Streets E. and from 53rd to 54th Streets E.; 43rd Avenue S. from 52nd to 53rd Streets E.; 52nd Street E. from 43rd to 47th Avenues S.; and 47th Avenue S. from 52nd Street E. to 46th Avenue S. More information will be posted throughout the project’s timeline.

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.

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.