Bloomington - Penn Avenue Belt Line - Project Updates

Crews from Minnesota Limited have finished replacing the project’s natural gas steel main for Phase 3 of 4.

On November 1, the crews will pave Penn Avenue S. from 96th to 98th Streets W. and at 89th Street W. The traffic control barriers north of 94th Street W. will be removed on Tuesday, November 2.

Currently, there is a lane shift on Penn Avenue S. between Penn Lake Circle and 94th Street W. Penn Avenue S. is open in one direction heading southbound from 94th to 98th Streets W.

The final milling and paving will happen on Tuesday, November 9 and Wednesday, November 10 from 96th to 98th Streets W.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Minnesota Limited, plans to finish replacing the project’s natural gas steel main within the week of October 25. Currently, they are working south of 97th Street W. toward 98th Street W.

On Thursday, October 28, they will connect the new main to the existing intersecting mains at 98th Street W. and 89th Street W. During that day, they will work in one of the turn lanes on 86th Street W. just east of Penn Avenue S. Traffic will remain open in all directions at 86th and 98th Streets W.

For a separate CenterPoint Energy project happening along the Penn Avenue Belt Line Project route, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will perform repair work along Penn Avenue S. at 82nd, 84th, 86th, 93rd and 95th Streets W. They will work at 82nd Street W. on Monday, October 25; at 84th and 85th Streets W. on Tuesday, October 26; and at 93rd and 95th Streets W. on Wednesday, October 27. While the crews are working in these areas, lane shifts will occur.

This week, the crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will pave Penn Avenue S. from 94th to 96th Streets W. They will mill Penn Avenue S. from 90th to 94th Streets W. They plan to open 96th Street W. this week. Tentatively in the first week of November, the crews plan to pave 96th Street W., keeping traffic open. More information will be provided regarding when they’ll mill and pave from 96th to 98th Street W.

To expedite the construction process, the crews plan to work on Saturday, October 23.

Crews from Minnesota Limited, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have shifted the lane on Penn Avenue S. between Penn Lake Circle and 94th Street W. While two-way traffic is open on Penn Avenue S. from 90th to 94th Streets W., one-way traffic is open heading southbound from 94th to 98th Streets W. The crews opened the closure on 94th Street W. at Penn Avenue S. Today on Monday, October 11, the crews have closed 96th Street W. just east of Penn Avenue S.

The crews have replaced the Phase 3 natural gas steel main through 95th Street W. and are continuing to work south toward 98th Street W. Crews from Q3 Contracting have paved Penn Avenue S. from 91st to 94th Streets W. They are continuing to restore the hard and soft surfaces affected by Minnesota Limited’s work. The next scheduled paving will happen on Thursday, October 21.

One crew from Minnesota Limited is removing the existing natural gas steel main at 96th Street W., working south toward the end of the project’s route at 98th Street W. Another Minnesota Limited crew is putting new steel main in the ground at 94th Street W., working south toward 98th Street W. and following the pipe removal crew.

Tomorrow on Thursday, October 7, Q3 Contracting will pave Penn Avenue S. from 91st ½ to 94th Streets W. Permanent striping will happen from 90th Street W. to American Boulevard.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Minnesota Limited and Q3 Contracting, are making progress on the Penn Avenue Belt Line Project. Below are the details:

Today on Friday, October 1, crews from Minnesota Limited are removing the traffic control devices from 89th to 86th Streets W., and they are opening the closure on 91st ½ Street W. at Penn Avenue S.

The lane shift currently remains on Penn Avenue S. between 90th and 86th Streets W. Traffic remains open one way heading southbound on Penn Avenue S. from 91st to 98th Streets W. North of 91st Street W., the traffic remains open in both directions. The closure of 94th Street W. at Penn Avenue S. is expected to be open in the morning of Friday, October 8.

The crews are replacing the natural gas steel main up to 94th Street W. and are working south.

Q3 Contracting milled Penn Avenue S. from 90th to 86th Streets W. yesterday and are overlaying this area today. The next paving is scheduled for Thursday, October 7 from 91st to 94th Streets W.

As CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are replacing a natural gas steel main and restoring the areas affected by this work, the trash, recycling, and yard waste services will be affected on the odd-numbered side of Penn Avenue S. between 91st and 98th Streets W.

We are sending this letter to all residents along this area to make everyone aware of our project. To ensure pickup by your hauler, the trash, recycling, and yard waste will need to be placed on the even-numbered (west) side of Penn Avenue until the traffic control measures have been removed. For many of you, there will be no change to where you place your receptacles. This project is projected to last from the first to the last weeks in October, but in some areas traffic control may be removed sooner or later depending on road restoration.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to upgrade our natural gas system, ensuring system reliability for years to come.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors have been making progress.

Crews from Minnesota Limited have shifted a lane on Penn Avenue S. between 86th and 90th Streets W. Currently, Penn Avenue S. is open in one direction heading southbound from 91st to 94th Streets W. North of 91st Street W., Penn Avenue S. is open in both directions. The closure remains on 91st ½ Street W. on the east side of Penn Avenue S. until Friday, October 1.

Since Monday, September 27, Penn Avenue S. has been open to one-way traffic heading southbound from 91st to 98th Streets W. The crews have been replacing the natural gas steel main to 92nd Street W. and will continue replacing the main heading south.

From Wednesday, September 29 to Friday, October 8, the crews will close 94th Street W. at Penn Avenue S.

On Saturday, September 25, Q3 Contracting paved from 91st ½ Street W. to the north. The crews have been milling Penn Avenue S. from 94th to 98th Streets W.

Yesterday on September 27, the crews restored the sidewalks and curbs at 86th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. Today on Tuesday, September 28, they are paving the blacktop in this area.

On Thursday, September 30, the crews will start milling from 86th to 90th or 91st Streets W. On Friday, October 1, the crews will mill and pave 88th Street W. from Penn to Queen Avenues S. and Queen Avenue S. from 90th to 88th Streets W. During this time, these roads will be open to traffic.

Update: From Monday, September 27 to Tuesday, September 28, the crews plan to close westbound 86th Street W. between Aldrich and Lyndale Avenues S. During this time, northbound and southbound traffic will remain open on Aldrich and Lyndale Avenues S. Traffic will be detoured north on Lyndale Avenue S., west on 82nd Street W., and south on Penn Avenue S.

From Thursday, September 23 to Friday, September 24, the crews plan to close westbound 86th Street W. between Aldrich and Lyndale Avenues S. During this time, northbound and southbound traffic will remain open on Aldrich and Lyndale Avenues S. Traffic will be detoured north on Lyndale Avenue S., west on 82nd Street W., and south on Penn Avenue S.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing to make progress.

This week, the crews from Minnesota Limited are removing the traffic barriers on Penn Avenue S. from 86th Street W. to American Boulevard. Permanent striping on this road will happen this week. The other traffic impacts are as follows: The crews have shifted a lane on Penn Avenue S. between 90th and 86th Streets W. North of 91st Street W., traffic remains open going north and south. On the east side of Penn Avenue S., 91st ½ Street W. remains closed. On Penn Avenue S. from 91st to 94th Streets W., traffic remains open going southbound only.

One crew is replacing the natural gas main from 91st Street W. working south. On Friday, September 17, another crew tested the new main’s pressure along Penn Avenue S. from 88th Street W. to Target’s parking lot. This crew is connecting the new main today on Monday, September 20. Q3 Contracting is continuing to follow Minnesota Limited’s crews to restore the areas affected by their work.

In the week of September 20, the crews will keep 86th Street W. open at Penn Avenue S. The exception will be that the right turn lane from eastbound 86th Street W. to southbound Penn Avenue S. will remain closed.

The crews from Minnesota Limited have shifted a lane on Penn Avenue S. between 90th and 86th Streets W. Northbound traffic on Penn Avenue S. from 86th Street W. to American Boulevard has been pushed to the far east lane. Southbound traffic control has been removed to allow the City of Bloomington to set up their traffic control for potholing.

Penn Avenue S. from 91st to 94th Streets W. is open one way heading southbound. Two-way traffic remains open heading north from 91st Street W. Eastbound 90th Street W. is closed at Penn Avenue S. and will reopen in the morning of Monday, September 13. The closure of 91st ½ Street W. remains on the east side of Penn Avenue S.

One crew replaced the Phase 3 natural gas steel main north of 90th Street W. on Penn Avenue S. and within the southern half of 90th Street W. Another crew replaced the main across the north side of Target’s parking lot. Today this crew has returned to 86th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. to prepare for testing the new main’s pressure in the northern half of the job.

One crew will continue to replace the steel main from 90th Street W. to the south on Penn Avenue S. Another crew will test the new main’s pressure from 89th Street W. to Hobby Lobby’s parking lot.

Q3 Contracting will mill and overlay Penn Avenue S. from American Boulevard to Dixon Drive on September 16 and 17. Although traffic will be maintained with flaggers, drivers may expect delays. On Thursday, September 16 and Friday, September 17, the crews will mill and pave on 88th Street W. from Penn to Queen Avenues S. and on Queen Avenue S. from 90th to 88th Streets W. Flaggers will be on site, helping direct through traffic.

In mid-October, the crews will return to connect the new main to the existing intersecting main on Penn Avenue S. and 89th Street W.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are making progress.

There is currently a lane shift on Penn Avenue S. between 90th Street W. and Dixon Drive. Between Dixon Drive and American Boulevard, there is one lane open heading northbound and two lanes open heading southbound. The crews reopened westbound 90th Street W. at Penn Avenue S.

Today, the crews have temporarily reopened 88th Street W. and Queen Avenue S. On Thursday, September 16 and Friday, September 17, the crews plan to mill and overlay Queen Avenue S. from 88th to 90th Streets W. and 88th Street W. from Queen to Penn Avenues S. During this time, school buses can travel on these roads, even though there will be “road closed to through traffic” signs.

One crew from Minnesota Limited replaced the Phase 3 natural gas steel main across the northern half of 90th Street W. They will finish replacing the steel main up to 89th Street W. and then move to the south side of 90th Street W. to begin replacing the main there. Another Minnesota Limited crew replaced the main across the north side of Chik-Fil-A’s parking lot into Target’s parking lot. They will continue to work here to replace the main.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 7, eastbound 90th Street W. will be closed at Penn Avenue S. Eastbound traffic on 90th Street W. can turn north or south onto Penn Avenue S. The crews will mill Penn Avenue S. from 90th to 94th Streets W. on September 7. Eastbound 90th Street W. is scheduled to be reopened by the morning of Saturday, September 11. Beginning on September 7, Penn Avenue S. will be open in one direction heading southbound from 90th to 94th Streets W.

As restoration takes place, the traffic control devices will be removed.

One crew is in the northern half of 90th Street W. working north to Penn Lake Circle. Then they will move south of 90th Street W. and work south. Another crew is on the north side of Chik-Fil-A, working west toward the tie-in at Target’s parking lot.

The crews paved Penn Avenue S. from Dixon Drive to 82nd Street W. On Monday, August 30, they poured the curb at TCF Bank’s parking lot. The crews will pave the blacktop on Thursday, September 2 at 90th Street W. and at Chik-Fil-A.

The crews will reopen Dixon Drive at the end of this week and will reopen 89th Street W. late in the week of September 6.

From Tuesday, September 7 to Friday, September 10, the crews will close eastbound 90th Street W. on the east side of Penn Avenue S. within the southeastern corner of the intersection of 90th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. During this time, traffic heading eastbound on 90th Street W. can turn north or south onto Penn Avenue S. but can’t cross the intersection heading east. This will happen at the same time that Penn Avenue S. is open one-way southbound. Detour signs will lead drivers west on 98th Street W., north on France Avenue S., and east on American Boulevard. Westbound 90th Street W. will remain open.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 7, Penn Avenue S. from 90th to 94th Streets W. will be one-way southbound. Currently, the only side road that will be closed is 91st ½ Street W. These closures will last for approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

For the northern half of the project, the crews plan to connect the Phase 3 natural gas steel main in the week of September 13.

Crews from Michels Corporation are working on the regulator station at 96th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. They are connecting piping to the station. They anticipate that this work will end late in the week of September 6. In the week of September 13, the crews will begin putting the existing natural gas plastic main out of service along Penn Avenue S. at 95th, 96th, 97th, and 98th Streets W.

Crews from Minnesota Limited, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are progressing. They will reopen Dixon Drive at the end of this week and will reopen 89th Street W. late in the week of September 6.

There is currently a lane shift on Penn Avenue S. between 90th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane open heading northbound and one lane open heading southbound between Dixon Drive and American Boulevard. The intersections between Dixon Drive and American Boulevard will be open today except for Dixon Drive.

One crew replaced the natural gas main up to Dixon Drive. They will replace the main from 90th Street W. heading north. Another crew replaced the main from the TCF Bank parking lot to 79th Street W. They will continue replacing the main on the frontage road between TCF Bank and Chik-Fil-A. Paving in this area is scheduled for Thursday, September 2.

The project’s main replacement and restoration was delayed this week due to rain. We appreciate your patience.

From Monday, August 30 to approximately Friday, September 3, the crews will close the northwestern corner of the intersection of 86th Street W. and Lyndale Avenue. During this time, drivers can’t travel west on 86th Street W. past Lyndale Avenue. All the other directions will remain open. Detour signs will lead drivers to northbound Lyndale Avenue, westbound 82nd Street W. and southbound Penn Avenue.

The anticipated restoration schedule is the following: The crews plan to restore the curbs and sidewalk on August 30 and 31 and pave the road on September 2. They plan to open the intersection before the Labor Day weekend, pending weather. At a later date, the crews will mill and overlay 88th Street W. from Penn to Queen Avenues S. and from the centerline to the east curb on Queen Avenue from 88th to 90th Streets W. For the closure on 88th Street W. between Queen and Penn Avenues S., drivers can travel north or south on Penn Avenue S. They can turn west on 90th Street W. and north on Queen Avenue S.

For the closure of the westbound lane on 90th Street W. just east of Penn Avenue S., drivers traveling west on 90th Street W. can turn south on Lyndale Avenue S., west on 94th Street W., north on Penn Avenue S. and west on 90th Street W. This closure is anticipated to be open by Friday, September 3, pending weather.

The crews plan to close 96th Street W. east of Penn Avenue S. beginning on Monday, August 30 or Tuesday, August 31, pending weather. The closure is anticipated to last for two weeks.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress. Crews from Minnesota Limited are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south between Dixon Drive and American Boulevard.

The crews have closed 88th Street W. from Penn to Queen Avenues S. Q3 Contracting will replace the sidewalk, curb and asphalt. Later this week, Q3 Contracting will restore the curb between 81st Street W. and American Boulevard.

Minnesota Limited replaced the natural gas main from American Boulevard to 82nd Street W. They are working toward Dixon Drive to connect the new sections of main together. They finished crossing the TCF Bank parking lot and milled between the bank and Chik-Fil-A. Q3 Contracting plans to pave this area for Saturday, August 28. Their crews will pave 82nd Street W. tomorrow on Wednesday, August 25, pending weather.

Then Minnesota Limited will move to 90th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. The crews milled from Penn Lake Circle to 90th Street W. Half of 90th Street W. is shut down. This week the crews will begin replacing the main in that intersection. They plan to open it by the Labor Day weekend.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress. Crews from Minnesota Limited are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged.

The crews replaced the natural gas main across American Boulevard and are replacing the main south. Currently two lanes northbound and two lanes southbound are closed on Penn Avenue S. between American Boulevard and 82nd Street W. They will work in the TCF Bank parking lot this weekend.

The crews have been working on the regulator loop at 88th Street W. and Queen Avenue S. They connected the piping to the loop and tested the pressure. Crews from Q3 Contracting will restore the intersection and area today on Wednesday, August 18.

The crews have closed east and west traffic on 81st Street W. at Penn Avenue S. On Thursday, August 19, the crews plan to pave this intersection. On Friday, August 20, 81st Street W. will be reopened. From August 20 to approximately September 1 or 2, the crews will close east and west traffic on 82nd Street W.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress. Crews from Minnesota Limited are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged.

In late August, the crews will cross American Boulevard with lane closures. Detour signs will direct drivers depending on the direction. More details will be added closer to that time.

Crews from Q3 Contracting have paved and opened the intersection of 79th Street W. and Penn Avenue S., in addition to 86th Street W. at Penn Avenue S. On Thursday, August 5, the crews will pave Penn Avenue S. from 79th Street W. to American Boulevard. On Friday, August 6, the crews will mill south, working from American Boulevard to 81st Street W. CenturyLink’s contractor will work on Penn Avenue S. north of 78th Street W.

Beginning on Monday, August 9 and lasting for approximately two weeks, a closure will happen on 88th Street W. between Penn and Queen Avenues S. This will accommodate the crews’ natural gas work of installing regulator loops and connecting the natural gas piping to them. It will also accommodate the restoration and reopening of the road.

For the crossing of 79th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. this weekend, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors anticipate beginning work at 7:00 a.m. and finishing before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 and on Sunday, August 1. The purpose is to expedite the work to open traffic by Monday, August 2 or Tuesday, August 3.

Hennepin County will be performing its Mill and Overlay on Penn Avenue S. between American Boulevard and 75th Street W., following Minnesota Limited and Q3 Contracting’s work.

Within August, Minnesota Limited will cross American Boulevard at Penn Avenue S. The crews will close a few lanes at a time with detour signs leading traffic to the next block over. More details will be provided closer to that portion of the project.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress. Crews from Minnesota Limited are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged. One crew is replacing the Phase 3 natural gas main north of 84th Street W. and will continue to work north.

This week, the east side of 86th Street W. remains closed as a crew continues to work on the valve vault piping and regulator loops. When the natural gas work is finished, the crews from Q3 Contracting plan to pave the area and reopen it by Tuesday, August 3. Later in August, Minnesota Limited will return to this area to test the pressure of the pipe and connect it to the existing intersecting pipes. This will not require a full closure.

In the afternoon of Friday, July 30, the crews will close 79th Street W. at Penn Avenue S. This area will reopen on or before Tuesday, August 3. This closure will allow the crews to replace the Phase 3 natural gas main and restore the area back to traffic. During this time, the western half of the intersection will be closed. While northbound and southbound traffic will remain open, drivers can’t turn onto westbound 79th Street W. from Penn Avenue S. Detour signs will lead drivers to American Boulevard.

Later in August, the crews will cross American Boulevard at Penn Avenue S. More details will be added closer to that time.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing on the job. Crews from Minnesota Limited are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged.

One crew is replacing the natural gas main south of 84th Street W. and will continue working north. Another crew is continuing to work on the valve vault piping and regulator loops at 86th Street W. The east side of 86th Street W. remains closed during the weeks of July 19 and 26. The natural gas work there is expected to finish in the week of July 26 with restoration following that same week, if not the following. Q3 Contracting is continuing to pave Penn Avenue. They are just south of 86th Street W.

On Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, the crews will replace the main on Penn Avenue S. at 79th Street W. During this time, the western half of the intersection will be closed. While northbound and southbound traffic will remain open, drivers can’t turn onto westbound 79th Street W. from Penn Avenue S. Detour signs will lead drivers to American Boulevard. This area will be paved on Monday, August 2 and open to traffic on Tuesday, August 3.

Hennepin County will be performing its Mill and Overlay on Penn Avenue S. between American Boulevard and 75th Street W., following Minnesota Limited and Q3’s work.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress on Phases 2 through 4.

Phase 2: Crews from Michels Corporation anticipate finishing Phase 2 by Saturday, July 17.

Phase 3: Crews from Minnesota are continuing to shift a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged. The east side of 86th Street W. remains closed during the week of July 12. One crew is installing the new Phase 3 natural gas main and removing the existing main, working north from 86th Street W. Another crew is continuing to work on the valve vault piping and regulator loops.

Phase 4: Crews from Q3 Contracting will continue to pave up to 86th Street W. late in the week of July 12.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress.

Phase 1: Michels Corporation replaced all the project’s Phase 1 natural gas main.

Phase 2: Michels Corporation anticipates replacing the final of the service lines by approximately Friday, July 16. Currently they are working south from 94th Street W. When they are finished, they will return to intersections between 90th and 98th Streets W. to put the existing intersecting mains out of service. Phase 2 is expected to finish within late July.

Phase 3: Minnesota Limited is continuing to replace the Phase 3 natural gas main and remove the existing main. The closure on 86th Street W. will continue into the week of July 12, including restoration. On Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive, there is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged. One crew is replacing the Phase 3 natural gas main between 86th and 88th Streets W., working north. Another crew placed the valve vault at 86th Street W. and removed the existing pipe up to 86th Street W. They will begin installing regulator loops and vault piping.

Phase 4: Q3 Contracting put asphalt base on Penn Avenue S. from Penn Lake Circle to the north. The crews will also follow the Phase 2 crew’s route to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work outside the roadway, where Phase 3 will continue.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing to work on Phases 2 and 3. Michels Corporation is working south of 89th Street W. A lane shift is in place on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. There is one lane of traffic traveling north and south during nonworking hours. During working hours, traffic is reduced to one lane that is being flagged.

One crew from Minnesota Limited is replacing the Phase 3 main between 86th and 88th Streets W., working north. Another Minnesota Limited crew is removing the existing large-diameter steel main just south of 86th Street W. The crews have closed 86th Street W. on the east side of Penn Avenue S. for approximately three weeks, including restoration. The signal light has been placed in flash. This work includes installing the valve vault, regulator loops and the pipe.

The contractor for Hennepin County is redoing pedestrian ramps and porkchops along Penn Avenue S. at the intersections of American Boulevard and 79th Street W. They have finished the southbound side and are working on the northbound side. In late June or early July, the contractor for the City of Bloomington will perform the mill and overlay on American Boulevard on the west side of Penn Avenue S.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing.

Michels Corporation is continuing the replace the natural gas main south of 89th Street W. The closure of 96th Street W. at Penn Avenue S. will last until Wednesday, June 30. This will allow Michels Corporation to replace the Phase 1 distribution main in this area, and it will allow Q3 Contracting to restore the area affected by Michels Corporation’s work. Phase 1 is expected to finish by approximately Friday, July 2. This will include the crews connecting the new main to the existing intersecting mains along the project’s route.

A crew from Michels Corporation is connecting the natural gas service lines to the Phase 1 main between 91st and 93rd Streets W., following the Phase 1 crew’s route.

In the week of June 14, the crews began removing the existing 12-inch and 24-inch natural gas mains and installing the new 12-inch and 24-inch mains from Penn Lake Circle heading north on the project. On Friday, June 18, a lane closure was lifted on 98th Street W. east of Penn Avenue S.

There is a lane shift on Penn Avenue S. between 89th Street W. and Dixon Drive. During nonworking hours, there is one lane for northbound traffic and another lane for southbound traffic. During working hours, Penn Avenue S. is reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic. There is a lane shift on Penn Avenue S. between 97th and 98th Streets W.

On Monday, June 28, the crews will close 86th Street W. on the east side of Penn Avenue S. This work will include installing the valve vault, regulator loops, and the natural gas piping. The approximate duration of the closure is three weeks, including Phase 4 restoration.

On Monday, June 21, Q3 Contracting put temporary asphalt on Penn Avenue S. between 97th and 98th Streets W. This week, the crews are restoring Queen Avenue S. between 88th and 90th Streets W. By June 30, Q3 Contracting will have restored and reopened 98th Street W. east of Penn Avenue S. (See the above detail.)

Hennepin County’s contractor are reconstructing pedestrian ramps along Penn Avenue S. at American Boulevard and 79th Street W. They will work on the southbound sides and then move to the northbound sides. The City of Bloomington will follow the natural gas work on 86th Street W. to reconstruct the street. In the end of June, the city will begin performing a mill and overlay of American Boulevard on the west side of Penn Avenue S. They will reconstruct a piece of the median.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing. Beginning on Monday, June 21, crews from Michels Corporation will begin closing 96th Street W. at Penn Avenue for approximately one week. They anticipate finishing Phase 1 natural gas main replacement within early July. Crews from Q3 Contracting will mill Penn Avenue from Dixon Drive to 89th Street W.

The City of Bloomington will perform a mill and overlay on American Boulevard. In mid-July, Minnesota Limited will return to this area for natural gas work for Phase 3.

Crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are continuing to replace the Phase 1 natural gas main on the east side of Penn Avenue between 86th and 90th Streets W. In the weeks of June 7 and 14, they will begin to replace the main heading south between 90th and 96th Streets W.

From June 21 to 25, the crews will close 96th Street W. just east of Penn Avenue. Access to driveways and parking lots will remain open. Crews from Michels Corporation are also connecting the natural gas service lines to the new main for Phase 2. They are currently working north of 90th Street W.

In the week of June 14, Phase 3 of 4 will begin with work from CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Minnesota Limited. The crews will close the turn lanes for drivers heading south on Penn Avenue and west on 76th Street W. Detour signs will direct drivers south on Penn Avenue and west on American Boulevard. The duration in this area will take approximately a few weeks. The inspectors will coordinate with the businesses in this area. The crews will begin to stage equipment and materials on the easement on the north side of Target’s parking lot. This will include fencing or traffic barrels.

The crews will have lane shifts on Penn Avenue between 97th and 98th Streets W.

From the afternoon of Wednesday, June 16 to the evening of Thursday, June 17, the crews will close Thomas Avenue just south of 76th Street W. to through traffic. Driveways will remain open. The closure will allow the crews to access the natural gas vault. Detour signs will lead through traffic to Upton Avenue, 76th Street W. and 77th Street W.

To complete the work, the crews for any of the phases may work on Saturdays.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing work. Crews from Michels Corporation are continuing Phases 1 and 2, which include the natural gas main replacement and the connection of the natural gas service lines to the new Phase 1 main. The Phase 2 crews are following the Phase 1 crew’s route. Phase 3 will begin in the week of June 14 with Minnesota Limited. (More details will be added to the website closer to the phase’s beginning.) Crews from Q3 Contracting are performing work for Phase 4 gradually such as north of American Boulevard outside areas that will be affected by the Phase 3 work.

The Michels Corporation crews are replacing the Phase 1 natural gas main at 90th Street W. and are moving to 92nd Street W. By the end of the week of June 7, they will have moved to 94th Street W. In the week of June 7 or 14, they will have moved to 96th Street W. The crews are continuing to work in the northbound lanes of Penn Avenue S. between 90th and 94th Streets W. Drivers heading west on 90th Street W. can’t turn north onto Penn Avenue S. Detour signs will lead them to 90th Street W., Lyndale Avenue, 86th Street W. and Penn Avenue S.

Another crew replaced the natural gas main at 86th Street W., connected it to the existing intersecting mains, and put the existing mains out of service in that area.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing progress.

Crews from Michels Corporation connected the natural gas service lines (Phase 2) to the Phase 1 natural gas main north of American Boulevard. Crews from Q3 Contracting will begin restoring the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work north of 82nd Street W.

During the weeks of May 17 and 24, Michels Corporation’s crews are replacing the Phase 1 main between 86th and 90th Streets W. and connecting the service lines from 84th Street W. to Dixon Drive. From 84th Street W. to Dixon Drive and at 86th Street W., the crews are working in the northbound lanes and maintaining two-way traffic on Penn Avenue. Toward 90th Street W., the crews will work in the southbound lanes, maintaining two-way traffic on Penn Avenue. For a limited time, the crews will close 83rd Street W. at Penn Avenue.

In the first week of June, Minnesota Limited will begin Phase 3 of the project, which is replacing the large-diameter steel main. They will work at 79th, 86th, 90th and 98th Streets W. At 86th Street W., the crews will use ZEVAC equipment. Lane closures will occur in these areas. More details will be added in future updates.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are progressing on the project. Michels Corporation finished the natural gas work at 82nd Street W. Late this week, Q3 Contracting will permanently restore the area and remove the barricades. North of 82nd Street W., Michels Corporation will connect the natural gas service lines to the new main tentatively in the week of May 17, and Q3 Contracting will follow to restore the area.

Currently the crew is replacing the natural gas main on Penn Avenue S. at 84th Street W. with lane shifts. By the end of this week, the crew will have replaced the main toward 86th Street W. By the end of the week of May 17, the crews anticipate replacing the main toward 90th Street W.

Michels Corporation finished the natural gas work at 88th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. and is finishing the gas work at 90th Street W. and Queen Avenue S. Q3 Contracting will restore and open these areas to traffic.

Currently the crews closed the median lanes on Penn Avenue S. between 82nd Street W. and Dixon Drive. Two-way traffic is open on Penn Avenue S. in this area. The east sidewalk on Penn Avenue S. is closed while the west sidewalk is open.

Today on May 6, the crews will have connected the new natural gas main to the existing intersecting main at 82nd Street W. By the end of the day on May 6 or 7, the crews plan to have blacktopped American Boulevard and will have removed the barricades. On May 7, the crews will begin replacing the main south of Dixon Drive. Approximately by the end of May, the crews plan to have replaced the Phase 1 main to 86th Street W. By approximately May 11, the crews plan to finish the Phase 1 work at 79th Street W.

Beginning today on May 6, the crews are replacing the Phase 1 main in a few lanes in the intersection of 88th Street W. and Penn Avenue S. Two-way traffic will be maintained. They plan to finish the Phase 1 main work by the end of the week of May 10.

The crews are currently replacing the Phase 1 main in the intersection of 90th Street W. and Queen Avenue S. This intersection will continue to be closed until the middle or end of the week of May 10.

For approximately one or two weeks beginning on Thursday, April 29, the crews will close a lane on 81st Street W. from Penn to Queen Avenues. The closure will allow the crews to perform Phases 1 and 2 in this area, which includes replacing a natural gas main and connecting the natural gas service lines to the Phase 1 main. The west sidewalk on Penn Avenue within the lane closure is closed, while the east sidewalk is open. Driveway and parking lot access will remain open. Steel plates will be used as needed for access.

The following closures are expected to last within the week of May 3: The crews will have replaced the Phase 1 natural gas main on Penn Avenue from 79th Street W. to Dixon Drive. The crews have closed 88th Street W. from Penn Avenue to west of Queen Avenue to replace the natural gas main. The crews will close two southbound lanes on Penn Avenue at 88th Street W., shifting traffic.

The crews will continue to replace the main on American Boulevard at Penn Avenue with the existing lane closures in place. A portion of American Boulevard heading westbound onto Penn Avenue is closed. Detour signs are leading drivers to eastbound I-494 and southbound France Avenue, and to southbound Penn Avenue, eastbound 82nd Street W. and northbound Knox Avenue.

The crews are continuing to replace the Phase 1 natural gas main in the east lane of Penn Avenue, shifting traffic. The east sidewalk will remain closed, while the west sidewalk will remain open.

The current lane closure is between 81st and 84th Streets W. In the week of April 26, the crews will extend the closure to 79th Street W. After that, the crews will head south on Penn Avenue.

In approximately two weeks, the crews estimate that Penn Avenue between 82nd Street W. and Private Drive should be restored and opened.

On April 16, Michels Corporation will replace the first of the project’s two natural gas mains. This main is a distribution main that will feed the natural gas service lines to homes and businesses. The crews will start at American Boulevard, working south with a lane closure on Penn Ave. between 82nd St. W. and Private Drive.

Thank you to all who joined us on our February 23 event! CenterPoint Energy, the City of Bloomington and Hennepin County hosted a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting with a short presentation and a Q&A session that answered questions about the project. Among the topics discussed were the traffic impacts, project’s location, and our restoration efforts.

More details will be added closer to the project’s start date. Our website will be updated weekly. As we coordinate with the City of Bloomington and Hennepin County, we hope to make the construction run as smoothly as possible.

For Phase 1, lane closures may occur. Once final traffic plans are available, the access routes will be updated on our construction website. For Phase 3, the crews will work on Penn Ave. a few blocks at a time. Restoration of the road will follow closely behind the pipe installation crew. Detours will direct drivers. Residential traffic will be maintained.

The crews will be on site, assisting residents with access during construction. They will notify customers once they are going to be working in front of their home. Parking and lane or road restrictions are anticipated in areas where active construction is occurring and are necessary to keep both the public and construction personnel safe.

From April to November 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Bloomington along Penn Avenue S. from 98th Street W. to Interstate 494. This project will happen in four phases:

Michels Corporation will replace the first of the project’s two natural gas mains. This main will feed the natural gas service lines to homes and businesses.

Michels Corporation will connect the service lines to the new Phase 1 gas main.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor will replace the second gas main.

Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by work on the natural gas lines.