Minneapolis – 56th Street E. from Chicago to Cedar Avenues S.
Scheduled Start Date: April 4, 2022
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or the numbers 100946388 for the first main replacement and the service line work, or 98498099 and 100854874 for the second main replacement.
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
From Monday, April 4 into summer or fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along 56th Street E. from Chicago Avenue S. to Edgewater Boulevard and along Edgewater Boulevard from 56th Street E. to Cedar Avenue.
While Michels Corporation will replace two natural gas mains, connect natural gas service lines to the first new main, and move any inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work outside the limits of work by the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and Minnesota Department of Transportation.
What are the anticipated traffic impacts?
- Phase 1: The crews plan to replace the first main, which is small-diameter plastic, under the south sidewalk along 56th Street E. from 12th Avenue S. to Bloomington Avenue S. During this time, they will close parking and the sidewalk on that side. The north parking and sidewalk will be open during this closure. Flaggers may be at the intersections helping direct traffic.
- On 56th Street E. from Edgewater Boulevard to the alley between 15th and Bloomington Avenues S., and on Edgewater Boulevard from Bloomington Avenue S. to Nokomis Lane, the crews will close from one to a few blocks at a time. Detour signs will lead through traffic to the next block over.
- Phase 2: When the crews connect the service lines to the new main, they will work on one side of the road at a time.
- Phase 3: The second main is 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.
- The crews anticipate closing one or more blocks at a time. Detour signs will be posted. One sidewalk will be closed at a time. Steel plates may be used for driveway crossings.
- Phase 4: When Phase 2 is done, the crews for Phase 4 will restore the areas affected by Phases 1 and 2. The areas that will be affected by Phase 3 will have temporary restoration. This may include asphalt on previously concrete areas until after Phase 3 is done.
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 arrive, they will leave a door tag with their contact information to schedule an appointment with them.
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 soft surface restoration?
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. For photo examples, please visit our
Restoration Practices page.
