Minneapolis – 17th Avenue S. from Lake Street E. to 38th Street E.
Scheduled Start Date: April 12, 2021
Project Resources:
What is CenterPoint Energy doing?
From April 12 to late summer 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along 17th Ave. S. from 38th St. E. to Lake St. E. While Michels Corporation will replace two natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the first main, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work at no cost to the customer.
While the first main will be small-diameter plastic, typically bored underground, the second main will be large-diameter steel. Since the crews weld the pieces of the pipe together, the steel main replacement requires open excavation and takes longer to install than the small-diameter plastic main. Time spent on each block will vary due to the size of the block, the steel offsets, the restoration preparation, and the weather.
Toward the end of the project, the crews will return to some intersections to connect the new main to the existing intersecting mains. More details will be provided closer to this portion of the project’s dates.
What will the traffic impacts be?
- The crews will begin at 38th St. E., working north. To replace the first main under the east sidewalk, the crews will close two blocks at a time to through traffic. Parking will be restricted on both sides of 17th Ave. S. within any closures. The west sidewalk will remain open during this time. The crews will be on site to help residents with access.
- As the first main is being replaced, the crews will put temporary restoration on any excavated areas and reopen the closures. Later in the project’s timeline, these blocks will be reclosed to accommodate the service line work and the second main replacement.
- In the areas of active construction, most of the cross streets heading east or west will remain open. Any intersections or blocks that will be closed will have detour routes directing drivers to Bloomington Ave. or Cedar Ave. These closures are necessary to keep the crews and the public safe.
Why is CenterPoint Energy replacing the natural gas lines?
According to
the Governor of Minnesota’s order, gas main replacement is an essential work function. This allows for the modernization of related gas facilities. The gas main work requires excavations in various locations in the right-of-way (front yard) to facilitate the installation work. We appreciate your patience as we continue to upgrade our natural gas system, ensuring system reliability for years to come.
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 he 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?
Crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work, including hard and soft surfaces. 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.
