11/24/2021

On Monday, November 29, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin replacing the project’s natural gas mains. They will work on these streets in the following order: Poplar Street, A Street, Minnesota Street, B Street, and D Street.


From November 29 to mid-December 2021, the crew will replace the mains and connect the service lines to the new mains. During this time, the crews plan to shift lanes in areas where they will work.

What will CenterPoint Energy do?

Occurring this November and December, pausing in winter, and resuming in spring 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Mankato along the following streets: D Street from Sibley Parkway to Poplar Street; Poplar Street from D Street to A Street; B Street and A Street from Poplar Street to Minnesota Street; Minnesota Street from A Street to Cherry Street; and Entertainment Alley from approximately 300 feet north of Cherry Street.


While Michels Corporation will replace the 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.


From the week of November 29 to the week of December 20, Michels Corporation will replace the project’s gas mains west of Minnesota Street. In spring, they will return to replace the mains on Minnesota Street and Entertainment Alley and to connect the service lines to the new mains.


On Poplar Street, A Street, B Street, and D Street, lane, parking, and sidewalk closures may occur. In 2022, the crews may close portions of Minnesota Street and Entertainment Alley. More information will be provided closer to that portion of the project’s start date.


This season, Q3 Contracting will put down winter erosion control on the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. 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.

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 in 2022?

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.