12/9/2021

By the end of the week of December 13, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will have finished the project’s natural gas work. This includes replacing the main and connecting the service lines to the new main.


The information below regarding winter erosion control in 2021 and permanent restoration in 2022 remains the same. We wish you a safe holiday season!

11/24/2021

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced the natural gas main on Kingsdale Drive and 9 Oaks Circle. They are replacing the last of the project’s main on Forest Hills Circle. They are connecting the residents’ service lines to the new mains. The crew anticipates that the service line work will last into mid- or late December. During this time, there are no traffic impacts.


Work will be suspended from Thursday, November 25 to Sunday, November 28 for the holiday weekend.


A crew from Q3 Contracting will put down winter erosion control on the areas affected by construction. The hard surfaces will have temporary asphalt, including those that were previously concrete. In spring 2022, the crews will restore them to their original condition. On any excavations in boulevards and lawns, they will backfill with dirt and place netting over these areas. In spring 2022, they will return with black dirt and seed.


We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

11/3/2021

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the project’s natural gas main this week. They are starting on Kingsdale Drive near 92nd Street W., working northeast. As they replace the main, they will connect the service lines to the new mains. They will schedule appointments with residents to shut off the natural gas. Gas interruption is expected to last for two to three hours per house. The crew doesn’t anticipate impacting traffic.


Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow Michels Corporation to put down winter erosion control. Any holes created by CenterPoint Energy’s crews in boulevards during construction will be backfilled with dirt and protected with matting. In spring, the crews will return to place new black dirt and grass seed in these areas.

What will CenterPoint Energy do?

This fall 2021 and spring 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Bloomington along Kingsdale Drive, Forest Hills Circle, and 9 Oaks Circle. From November 1 to early December, Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside. During this time, the crews don’t anticipate traffic impacts.


Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. This fall, they will temporarily restore the affected areas with winter erosion control. The soft surfaces will be backfilled with dirt and protected with straw matting. In spring 2022, they will return for permanent restoration. For photo examples, please visit our Restoration Practices page.

What is CenterPoint Energy’s COVID-19 protocol?

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.

What if I have an inside gas meter?

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.

What should I expect during permanent soft surface restoration?

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.