Minnetonka - Minnetonka Boulevard from Elm to Honeywood Lanes - Project Updates

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting, plan to finish the project this week. Michels Corporation replaced the large-diameter natural gas steel main on Minnetonka Boulevard from Elm to Honeywood Lanes. Two-way traffic has been open with one lane heading east and one lane heading west. On Thursday, September 8, Q3 Contracting plans to pave this area. We appreciate your patience and wish you a great season.

Crews from CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting, plan to open two-way traffic on Minnetonka Boulevard east of Shady Oak Road within the week of August 22. We appreciate your patience as we’re upgrading our natural gas lines.

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, anticipate replacing the main along Minnetonka Boulevard between Elm and Honeywood Lanes into late August or the first week of September. During this time, they will close westbound Minnetonka Boulevard and keep eastbound traffic open. Detour signs will lead traffic south on Hopkins Crossroad, west on Highway 7, and north on Shady Oak Road.

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.

When the steel work is done, Q3 Contracting plans to return to permanently restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has begun replacing the project’s large-diameter natural gas steel main on Minnetonka Boulevard. The crew plans to replace the main from Shady Oak Road to Honeywood Lane in approximately three months. When this work is done, the crew will replace the main from Shady Oak Road to Elm Lane.

Entrances to driveways and parking lots along this area will remain open. Flaggers will be on site during the day to help direct traffic. Two-way traffic will be restored at night. The crew may close the westbound lanes to allow only one-way traffic. More information will be provided.

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. Restoration will follow the steel main work.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing the project’s work.

A crew from Michels Corporation finished replacing the project’s small-diameter natural gas plastic main, connecting the natural gas service lines to this new main, and moving inside meters outside.

Along the project’s route, a crew from Q3 Contracting is restoring the sidewalks today and tomorrow on May 19 and 20. They paved the blacktop portions that were affected by the natural gas work.

From Monday, June 13 into approximately the second week of August, another Michels Corporation crew will replace a large-diameter natural gas steel main along Minnetonka Boulevard from Elm to Honeywood Lanes. During this time, traffic impacts may include lane or full road closures with detour signs.

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.

When the steel work is done, Q3 Contracting plans to return to permanently restore the boulevards and lawns affected by Michels Corporation’s work. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

From Monday, April 18 into summer 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minnetonka along Minnetonka Boulevard from Elm Lane to Honeywood Lane. 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.

For most of the project’s duration, there will be lane shifts on Minnetonka Boulevard and some sidewalk closures along Minnetonka Boulevard and crossing streets. Flaggers may be on site. The anticipated road closure is Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail from Baker Road to Elm Lane.

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.