Minneapolis - 26th Street E. and Chicago Avenue - Project Updates

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting, are finishing the project. While Michels Corporation replaced the large-diameter natural gas steel main, Q3 Contracting is finishing restoration. Restoration on 26th Street E. is complete with striping from 17th Avenue S. to Bloomington Avenue S. The paving is done on 26th Street E. from Bloomington to Chicago Avenues S. and on Chicago Avenue S. from 26th to 27th Streets E.; striping will follow. We appreciate your patience and wish you a great holiday season!

The crew replaced the natural gas steel main from 17th Avenue S. along 26th Street E. to Chicago Avenue. This week, they have been replacing the main south on Chicago Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets E. Hard surface restoration is complete between 17th Avenue S. and Bloomington Avenue on 26th Street E. The crew opened 26th Street E. so that there are two full lanes in that area.

As the crew finishes the main replacement, they will connect the new main to the existing intersecting main at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 27th Street E. Although drivers should expect a lane shift in that area, the crew will maintain traffic flow in both directions on Chicago Avenue. The crew has been working on Saturdays to expedite the work. This work is planned to happen in the week of October 17.

From late August into mid-October, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has been and will continue to install steel natural gas main along 26th Street E. from 17th Avenue S. to Chicago Avenue S., working south on Chicago Avenue S. to 27th Street E.

The crew plans to replace the main approximately 2 to 3 blocks at a time, working on Saturdays to expedite construction. Local access remains open. During this time, lane, sidewalk, and parking closures will occur. Bicyclists may share the full lane with vehicle drivers. A closure of the north lane of 26th Street E. will follow the crew as they work. Cross streets will be closed to through-traffic from the north side of 26th Street E. during excavation and will be reopened after construction if complete in that intersection.

This week, the crew began replacing the large-diameter natural gas steel main under the north side of 26th Street E. between 12th and 14th Avenues S. They anticipate that the main replacement on this road will take approximately two weeks. During this time, parking will be restricted on the south side of 26th Street E. from 12th to 14th Avenues S. Following this construction, the crew will begin construction between 10th and 12th Avenues S., again in the north lane of 26th Street E.

From on Monday, August 29 into late October 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along Chicago Avenue S. from 26th to 27th Streets E. and along 26th Street E. from Chicago to 17th Avenues S. While Michels Corporation will replace the large-diameter natural gas steel main, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by their work. During this time, road and sidewalk closures will occur.

Since the crews weld the pieces of the pipe together, the steel main replacement requires open excavation. Time spent on each block will vary due to the size of the block, the steel offsets, the restoration preparation, and the weather.