Natural gas main replacements
A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced all the natural gas mains within the east half of the project’s area. This is from Lyndale Avenue N. to 3rd Street N. and from Lowry Avenue N. to 26th Avenue N.
In the weeks of April 22 and 29, they plan to replace the natural gas mains on the west half of the project’s routes. This is from Lyndale Avenue N. to Dupont Avenue N. and from Lowry Avenue N. to 26th Avenue N.
When they replace the main on 31st Avenue N. this week, they plan to bore it under the south sidewalk between Dupont Avenue N. and Lyndale Avenue N. for a few business days. During this time, parking will be restricted on both sides of 31st Avenue N., and the eastbound lane will be closed.
When they replace the main at the intersection of 26th Avenue N. and Colfax Avenue N., they will have flaggers on site to help direct traffic with 26th Avenue N. reduced to one lane. Parking will be restricted on both sides of the roads in this area.
Service line replacements and meter moves
Another Michels Corporation crew began moving inside meters outside by appointment and began replacing and/or reconnecting residents’ natural gas service lines to the new mains. They are working on the project’s east half, beginning on 4th Street N. at Lowry Avenue N., working south.
They anticipate working on one block per week, depending on residents’ schedules. Although they may work on 4th Street N., 6th Street N., and 3rd Street N. before moving onto 31st Avenue N., 30th Avenue N., 29th Avenue N., and 27th Avenue N., the exact order may vary.
During their work, the crew plans to close parking and the sidewalk on the side where they’re working.
Restoration
When the natural gas work is done in an area, the gas crews will backfill their excavations with gravel or dirt. Although an exact date hasn’t been determined yet, the restoration crew from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, plans to arrive in a few weeks to restore the areas affected by the gas work.
Boulevards and lawns will receive black dirt, grass seed, and netting that degrades in about four months.
From Monday, April 1 to Thursday, April 18, the crew plans to replace the natural gas mains along the following blocks: 4th Street N. from 31st Avenue N. to Lowry Avenue N. and 31st Avenue N. between 4th Street N. and 6th Street N. During this time, with one exception, there will be parking closures on both sides of the roads, one sidewalk closure at a time, and lane closures.
After the crew puts the new main in the ground on 4th Street N. between 31st Avenue N. and Lowry Avenue N., they will connect the new main to the existing intersecting main, closing 4th Street N. in this area.
From early April into summer 2024, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will upgrade the natural gas infrastructure on select streets throughout the Hawthorne Neighborhood in Minneapolis. The project’s area is between Lowry Avenue N., 26th Avenue N., Dupont Avenue N., and 3rd Street N.
Equix Integrity updates our records on the locations of sewer lines in relation to natural gas lines. Michels Corporation will replace natural gas mains, move inside meters to the outside of homes, and replace or reconnect service lines as needed. Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. There will be no assessment or cost associated with our work.
