Bloomington - Elliot Ave. S. and 98th St. E. - Project Updates

Crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have completed the project’s natural gas work. This includes connecting the service lines to the new mains and putting the existing mains out of service.

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.

One crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced all the project’s natural gas mains on 98th Street E. and Elliot Avenue S. They have been connecting the new mains to the existing intersecting mains and will finish early this week. Another Michels Corporation crew began connecting the service lines to the new mains, starting on 98th Street E. They will move to Elliot Avenue S. when they are done with 98th Street E.

This Wednesday, July 14, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, plan to begin replacing the project’s natural gas mains. They will start on 98th Street E. No parking signs will be posted on both sides of the road between Elliot Avenue S. and 14th Avenue S. This traffic plan will remain in place for approximately two weeks to accommodate the main replacement.

When the main is replaced on 98th Street E., the crews will replace the main on Elliot Avenue S. A similar traffic plan will occur. No parking signs will be placed on both sides of Elliot Avenue S.

From July 15 to late summer or fall 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Bloomington on Elliot Ave. S. between 94th St. E. and E. Old Shakopee Rd. and on 98th St. E. between Elliot Ave. S. and 14th Ave. S. 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 Michels Corporation’s work.

For most of the project’s duration, lane closures will occur, and parking will be restricted on both sides of the roads where the crews are working. When the crews replace the natural gas mains and connect them to the existing intersecting mains, they will close Elliot Avenue and 98th Street E. at E. Old Shakopee Road. Detour signs will lead traffic to the next block over.

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.