Edina - Blake Road 2021 Belt Line - Project Updates

On April 26, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Minnesota Limited, will begin the project’s Phase 3, which is the replacement of the large-diameter steel main. Phase 3 is expected to last into the third week of June with Phase 4’s restoration to follow. Due to cold weather, the start date has been pushed back a week from April 19. The other details from the April 8, 2021 update remain the same.

The crews expect to complete Phase 1 by the end of the week of April 12. Currently they are replacing the Phase 1 natural gas main from Parkwood Road to Knoll Drive S.

The currently closure in this area will remain for the crews to begin Phase 2, which will begin shortly after Phase 1 is complete. Customers will be notified prior to the Phase 2 work. To connect a house’s natural gas service line to the Phase 1 main, the crews will temporarily shut off the service line’s gas for approximately two to three hours. The crews will relight the resident’s pilot lights.

Any areas disturbed will be restored to their original condition in Phase 4. Crews from Q3 Contracting will put black dirt and grass seed in the affected boulevards or lawns.

On April 19, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Minnesota Limited, will begin the project’s Phase 3. Phase 3 is expected to last into the second week of June with Phase 4’s restoration to follow.

The crews will begin milling the pavement on the east side of Blake Road S. between just south of Lake Ridge Road to just north of Parkwood Road. This area will continue to be open to residential only. Detour signs will lead through traffic to Interlachen Boulevard and Vernon Avenue S.

The natural gas main replacement will take place in the roadway. The crews will communicate with residents about driveway access when necessary. The website will continue to be updated.

By Friday, April 2, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will have replaced a portion of the project’s Phase 1 natural gas main on Blake Road S. between Lake Ridge Road and Idylwood Drive. By the end of the day on April 2, the crews will have activated the new main with natural gas. Currently the crews are connecting the new main to the existing intersecting mains along this route.

Starting Monday, April 5, crews from Michels Corporation will begin Phase 2 between Lake Ridge Road and Idylwood Lane.

Within the week of April 5, Phase 1 will continue with the crews replacing a main on the east side of Blake Road S., starting just north of Pine Grove Road and working south to just north of Knoll Drive. The existing closure on Blake Road S. will remain during this time.

This Monday, March 22, the crews will begin construction for the Edina Blake Road 2021 Belt Line Project. After coordinating with the City of Edina and reviewing the project’s layout, the crews have made adjustments to the following plans:

For approximately one month, the crews will close a few blocks of Blake Road S. to through traffic at a time, starting from Lake Ridge Road and working south to Idylwood Drive. First, they will work from Lake Ridge Road to Blake Circle. Then they will work from Evanswood Lane to Idylwood Drive.

This will accommodate the replacement of the first natural gas main, allowing for the crews’ safety without the disruption of through traffic. The new natural gas main for Phase 1 will be located on the west side of the Blake Road S. to accommodate the existing utilities located in the east side of Blake Road S. The crews will connect the new main to the existing intersecting ones along the route.

During this time, residential access will be maintained. Detour signs will direct through traffic to Interlachen Boulevard and Vernon Avenue S.

When this portion of the project is done with the natural gas main installation, the crews will work in one lane of Blake Road S. and open the other lane while the crews will directionally drill the new main. Further details will be provided on this page when traffic plans are finalized for this portion.

This web page will be updated weekly during construction. More details will be added closer to the project’s start date.

For Phase 1, crews will alternate traffic impacts. For approximately one month beginning March 22, the crews will close Blake Road S. to through traffic, working south from Lake Ridge Road to Idylwood Drive. After that, the crews will work in one lane of Blake Road S. and open the other lane while the crews will directionally drill the new main. Further details will be provided on this page when traffic plans are finalized for this portion.

For Phase 2, crews may have to dig in the ground on your property in the utility easement and next to your home to complete the task of service line replacement. If your meter is in the inside of your home, the crews will schedule an appointment with you to move it outside.

For Phase 3, the crews will close Blake Road S. a few blocks at a time in order to make room for the open trench installation. This will take place in the road and not the boulevards or lawns. Restoration of the road will follow closely behind the pipe installation crew. Detours will direct through traffic to Interlachen Boulevard and Vernon Avenue S. Residential traffic will be maintained with some minor detours around the work area.

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.

From March 22 to June 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Edina along Blake Road S. and along Idylwood Lane. 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. This phase will happen on the east side of Blake Road S. from South Knoll Drive to just north of Scriver Road and on Idylwood Lane from Schafer Road to Blake Road S.

Michels Corporation will connect the service lines to the new Phase 1 gas main. This phase will happen on Blake Road S. from South Knoll Drive to just north of Scriver Road.

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor will replace the second gas main. This phase will happen on the east side of Blake Road S. from from Lake Ridge Road to Parkwood Road on the west side of Blake Road S. from Parkwood Drive to South Knoll Drive.

Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by work on the natural gas lines outside the limits of the City of Edina’s Mill and Overlay project.