St. Louis Park - Oregon Park Area - Project Updates

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, finished replacing the project’s natural gas mains. They replaced them on Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Quebec Avenues S. This week on Minnetonka Boulevard at Oregon Avenue S., the crew connected the new main to the existing intersecting main. Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, poured the concrete base yesterday on Wednesday, November 3 and is paving the asphalt today on Thursday, November 4. This intersection is expected to open by Friday, November 5.

In spring 2022, Michels Corporation will return to connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains. The sidewalks affected by Michels Corporation’s work will have temporary asphalt for the winter. In spring 2022, Q3 Contracting will return for permanent concrete restoration after the service line work is complete. More information will be provided closer to this portion of the project’s work.

The other areas affected by Michels Corporation’s 2021 work will be permanently restored this month. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

Today on Tuesday, October 26, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the project’s natural gas mains. They started on Nevada Avenue S. They will work west on Oregon, Pennsylvania and Quebec Avenues S. respectively.

In the week of November 1, they plan to finish the project’s main replacements. This work includes connecting the new mains to the existing intersecting mains. On Monday, November 1 and Tuesday, November 2, they plan to perform these connections on Minnetonka Boulevard and Oregon Avenue S. Flaggers will be on site at this intersection to help direct traffic.

By November 15, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, will temporarily restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. On the streets and sidewalks, bituminous patches will be laid. On boulevards and lawns, black dirt and seed will be laid. In spring 2022, permanent restoration will follow the final natural gas work. Q3 Contracting will restore the disturbed areas to their original condition. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

In 2022, the crews will return to connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, move any inside meters outside, and restore the areas affected by 2022 work.

Beginning in the week of October 25 and lasting into the first week of November, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, will replace the project’s natural gas mains. In areas of active construction, parking will be restricted on the side of the road where the crews are working. Flaggers may be on site helping direct traffic. In spring 2022, they will return to connect the service lines to the new mains.

By November 15, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, will temporarily restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. On the streets and sidewalks, bituminous patches will be laid. On boulevards and lawns, black dirt and seed will be laid. In spring 2022, permanent restoration will follow the final natural gas work. Q3 Contracting will restore the disturbed areas to their original condition. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

Beginning in the week of September 20 and lasting into late fall 2021 or spring 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in St. Louis Park along the following roads: Quebec, Pennsylvania, and Nevada Avenues S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 32nd Street W.; and Oregon Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 31st Street W.

While Michels Corporation will replace natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by their work. During this time, parking will be restricted where active construction is occurring.

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.

Crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work, including hard and soft surfaces. 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.