11/22/2021

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are finishing the 2021 work for the project. On Tuesday, November 23, a crew from Michels Corporation plans to finish the project’s natural gas work. This includes connecting the service lines to the new mains and connecting the new mains to the existing intersecting mains. Q3 Contracting will follow to put down winter erosion control, mentioned in the November 15 update below. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines.

11/15/2021

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced the natural gas mains on Westview Drive and Montgomerie Avenue. Tomorrow on Tuesday, November 16, they will begin connecting the service lines to the new mains.


As the service work finishes, Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. 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. After Thanksgiving, any affected hard surfaces will receive temporary restoration in 2021. In spring 2022, the crews will return for permanent restoration.

11/10/2021

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation began replacing the project’s natural gas mains. In the weeks of November 8 and 15, they will replace the main on Westview Drive between Highland Avenue and Lake Avenue. During this time, Westview Drive will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained. Rutledge Road will remain open. Through traffic will be detoured to Highland Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard.


When they are done replacing the main on that street, they will replace the main on Montgomerie Avenue, which will be closed to through traffic between Highland Avenue and Rutledge Road. More information will be provided regarding the project’s timeline.

What will CenterPoint Energy do?

From the week of November 11 to late November or early December 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Deephaven along Montgomerie Avenue between Rutledge Road and Highland Avenue and along Westview Drive between Highland Avenue and Lake Avenue.


While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas main, connect the natural gas service lines to the new main, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. Lane and parking closures may occur.


When the crews close Montgomerie Avenue, detour signs will lead through traffic to Highland Avenue, Hamilton Avenue and Rutledge Road. When the crews close Westview Drive, detour signs will lead through traffic to Highland Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard.

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 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.