Minneapolis - Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Garfield Avenues - Project Updates

CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors finished the project on Franklin Avenue. While Michels Corporation replaced the natural gas main, connected the service lines to the new main, and moved inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting restored the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. A separate contractor not employed by CenterPoint Energy is currently working in the area. We appreciate your patience as we upgraded our natural gas lines.

In the week of May 9, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas main under the north side of Franklin Avenue from Lyndale to Garfield Avenues. During this time, parking will be restricted on the north and south sides of Franklin and Garfield Avenues in these areas.

Another Michels Corporation crew is connecting the service lines to the new main and move inside meters outside. This week, they are working from Lyndale to Garfield Avenues.

The crews plan to finish the project’s natural gas work by Friday, May 20. Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

In the weeks of April 25 and May 2, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, plans to work on Franklin Avenue between Lyndale and Garfield Avenues S. During this time, they will replace the natural gas main, connect the service lines to the new main, and move inside meters outside.

When they are done with the natural gas work in this area, they will replace the natural gas main across Hennepin Avenue in the weekend of May 6. During that time, two-way traffic will be maintained on Franklin Avenue, and four-way traffic will be maintained at Franklin and Hennepin Avenues. They anticipate finishing the project’s natural gas work in the second week of May.

In the week of April 18, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, has been connecting the service lines on the north and south sides of Franklin Avenue between Lyndale and Hennepin Avenues. During this time, parking is restricted on both sides of Aldrich and Bryant Avenues S. in this area. On Friday, April 22, they will begin replacing the natural gas main through Lyndale Avenue. Lane closures will take place, but northbound and southbound traffic on Lyndale Avenue is still open. The crew will finish the Lyndale Avenue crossing on Sunday, April 24 and open all lanes on Lyndale Avenue.

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are continuing to replace the natural gas main on Franklin Avenue between Aldrich and Bryant Avenues S. and on Aldrich Avenue S. just north of Franklin Avenue. No parking signs are posted on both sides of Aldrich Avenue S. just north of Franklin Avenue. Residents can park here after 6:00 p.m. after weekdays and anytime on weekends.

After the replacement is done on Aldrich Avenue S., the crew will cross Bryant Avenue S. By Monday, April 25, the crew plans to have finished the main replacement and the service line work on Franklin Avenue from Lyndale to Hennepin Avenues. After that, the crew will work east of Lyndale Avenue.

They are planning to work on Saturday, April 23 to expedite the construction.

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the natural gas main this week. The current traffic plan will stay in place. This week, they replaced 120 feet of main. Today on Wednesday, March 30, the crews aren’t working due to the weather. Pending weather, the crew plans to cross Aldrich Avenue N. tomorrow on Thursday, March 31 and Bryant Avenue N. on Friday, April 1 or Saturday, April 2. Each crossing is anticipated to last for one business day. The crew plans to work on Saturday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Throughout April, the crew will replace the project’s main on Franklin Avenue and on Bryant and Aldrich Avenues N. at Franklin Avenue. In April or May, the same crew will connect the service lines to the new main. This work is anticipated to last for approximately two weeks. Traffic details will be provided on our website.

In the week of March 21, a crew from Q3 Contracting has closed the parking on the north and south sides of Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Lyndale Avenues to remove the center islands.

For approximately five weeks beginning on Monday, March 28, a crew from Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas main and connect the service lines to this main. This will happen along the north side of Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Lyndale Avenues. During this time, the parking restrictions will continue on the north and south sides of Franklin Avenue while the northern westbound lane is closed on Franklin Avenue.

Residents living on Bryant and Aldrich Avenues S. north of Franklin Avenue can still access their homes and park on these streets. However, Bryant Avenue S. will be closed at Franklin Avenue while Aldrich Avenue S will remain open.

After this work is done, Michels will open Bryant and Aldrich Avenue S. at Franklin Avenue. They will replace the main and connect the service lines to this main on Franklin Avenue from Lyndale to Garfield Avenues S. After that work is done, the crew will perform the same work on Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Colfax Avenues S.

Michels Corporation plans to finish the project’s natural gas work within May. Q3 Contracting will follow with restoration. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work.

This week, the crews are removing the center islands along Franklin Avenue to prepare for the main replacement that will begin in the week of March 28. More details will be provided regarding the crews’ progress. 

Beginning Monday, March 21, and lasting into May 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along Franklin Avenue from Hennepin to Garfield Avenues S. and along Bryant and Aldrich Avenues S. just north and south of Franklin Avenue. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. During this time, the northern westbound lanes on Franklin Avenue will be closed. The crews will leave two-way traffic open in the southern lanes. The crews will work with businesses on maintaining access.

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.