Minneapolis - 44th Street E. and 42nd Avenue S. - Project Updates

A crew from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has been replacing the project’s natural gas mains, connecting the service lines to the new mains, moving inside meters outside, and restoring the areas affected by their work.

They are currently working on 44th Street E. between Minnehaha Avenue and 42nd Avenue S., heading east toward 46th Avenue S. In the next week or two, they plan to finish the natural gas line work on 44th Street E. between Minnehaha Avenue and 46th Avenue S.

As they’re continuing work here, they will begin work on 42nd Avenue S. They plan to finish the project’s natural gas work on this street between 42nd and 46th Streets E. by Friday, July 22. Restoration is expected to be complete within a couple of weeks after the natural gas work is done.

In areas of active construction, parking will be restricted on the side of the road where they’re working. One sidewalk will be closed at a time. The crew will work on one side of the street at a time. We appreciate your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines, ensuring system reliability for years to come.

In the week of May 2, the crew plans to replace the natural gas main under the north sidewalk of 44th Street E. between 45th and 46th Avenues S. and under both sidewalks of 44th Street E. between 44th and 46th Avenues S., depending on their progress.

During this time, parking will be restricted on both sides of the road. They will work on one side of the road at a time, keeping one sidewalk open at a time. They plan to work on one or two blocks per week. As they progress, they will move the traffic signs. The excavated sidewalk panels will be backfilled before the second Michels Corporation crew arrives to connect the service lines to the new mains. Final restoration will occur when the natural gas work is complete.

From Monday, May 2 into summer 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along 44th Street E. from Minnehaha Avenue S. to 46th Avenue S. and along 42nd Avenue S. from 42nd to 46th Streets E. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

For a limited duration, the crew will close northbound traffic on 42nd Avenue S. from 42nd to 43rd Streets E. Detour signs will be on site. On the rest of the project’s streets, the crews will close the lane and sidewalk on the side of the road where they’re working. They will close parking on both sides of the blocks where they’re working. They plan to move the traffic signs as they work on one or more blocks at a time.

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.

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.

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.