Overview
In 2023, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors replaced portions of CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas infrastructure in the Near North Central and the Willard-Hay neighborhoods. In Near North Central, they worked between Plymouth Avenue N., 16th Avenue N., Knox Avenue N., and Aldrich Avenue N. In Willard-Hay, they worked between Xerxes Avenue N., Penn Avenue N., Golden Valley Road, and Plymouth Avenue N.
This year from early May into early summer 2024, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will return to Willard-Hay along the following streets:
- Xerxes Avenue N. from McNair Avenue to Plymouth Avenue N.
- Washburn Avenue N. from Plymouth Avenue N. to 1423 Washburn Avenue N.
- McNair Avenue from Xerxes Avenue N. to 2821 McNair Avenue N.
- 17th Avenue N. from Xerxes Avenue N. to Vincent Avenue N.
They will replace the natural gas mains, move inside meters outside by appointment, replace and/or reconnect service lines to the new main, and restore the areas affected by this work. The pipes used in these pipeline replacement and modernization projects are more resistant to corrosion and leakage, helping us continue to provide the safe, reliable service you count on that keeps you comfortable in your home.
Equix Integrity updates our records on the locations of sewer lines in relation to natural gas lines. Michels Corporation will work on the natural gas infrastructure. Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. There will be no assessment or cost associated with our work.
Marking utilities
CenterPoint Energy will contact Gopher State One Call 811 to locate public underground utilities such as water, sewer, and cable. You will see markings such as spray paint and utility flags. They will be color-coordinated to indicate a separate utility.
If you have installed any private lines such as sprinklers or dog fences, we ask that you mark them with whatever material is convenient for you. Examples include spray paint, flags, and wooden sticks used to stir paint. Marking sprinkler heads is sufficient.
If any utility flags are left in residents’ yards after the natural gas work and the restoration work is done, and the crew do not remove the flags, residents can remove the flags and throw them away.
Traffic impacts
Most traffic impacts will include parking closed on both sides of the road and one sidewalk closed at a time with the opposite sidewalk open. Some flaggers may be on site at Glenwood Parkway and Xerxes Avenue N. on the south side of Theodore Wirth Parkway.
Please expect closures of the following roads to through traffic:
- The intersection of Glenwood Parkway and Xerxes Avenue N. at 2200 Glenwood Parkway
- 14th Avenue N. from Xerxes Avenue N. to the alley between Xerxes and Washburn Avenues N.
- 16th Avenue N. from Xerxes Avenue N. to the alley between Xerxes and Washburn Avenues N.
- Intermittent closures of Xerxes Avenue N. from 21st Avenue N. to Plymouth Avenue N. approximately one block at a time
Natural gas main work
The crew plans to bore the main underneath one sidewalk on each road. Please keep in mind that some intersections or some sidewalk panels at intersections may not be permanently restored until after the service line work is done. After all customers’ service lines are transferred to the new main, the crew can connect the new main to the existing intersecting mains and put the new main into service. Then the restoration crew will permanently restore these areas. Until then, customers may see temporary backfill such as dirt or gravel. We thank you for your patience!
Service line and meter work
The customer will receive a CenterPoint Energy postcard in the mail before the natural gas crews perform the work. The crews will have CenterPoint Energy-authorized photo IDs. After the customer receives the postcard, the technician 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.
One natural gas crew typically works on about one block per week. They will either fully replace the service line or reconnect it to the new main, depending on the line’s age. For most properties, the crews remove at least one sidewalk panel in front of the house, excavate a hole by the outside meter, and bore the service line from the sidewalk to the house.
For inside meters, the crew will make a two- to three-hour appointment at a time that works with the resident. We encourage customers to work with the crew on where they want the meter to go, keeping limitations in mind such as a minimum of three feet away from areas such as windows, doors, and vents. Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of the service lines to the new mains.
The technician 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.
Restoration
After the service line and meter work, the gas crew will backfill the excavated areas with dirt or gravel. This will be temporary before the restoration crew comes. On boulevards and lawns, they will refill the areas with black dirt, grass seed, and netting that degrades over about four months. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the netting. For photo examples, please visit our
Restoration Practices page.
We hope to minimize the disruption as much as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we replace our infrastructure. We wish you a great season.
