If you contact CenterPoint Energy for any questions, please reference the project’s name or one of the following numbers:
Project 1
- 102454348 for the work on 37th, 38th, and 39th Avenues S. and on 39th, 41st, and 42nd Streets E.
- 102454339 for the work on 40th and 41st Avenues S. and on 43rd Street E.
- 102454331 for the work on 42nd and 43rd Avenues S.
- 102453184 for the work on 44th and 45th Avenues S.
- 106590000 for the steel main work on 40th Street E. from Minnehaha Avenue to 46th Avenue S.
Project 2
- 108551573 for the work on select streets between 43rd Ave. S. and Isabel Ave. and between 34th and 38th Streets E.
Project 1: Southern half of Howe Neighborhood
Anticipated time frame: October to December 2022 and from spring to October 2023
In fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors replaced natural gas mains and put down temporary restoration throughout the Howe Neighborhood. From spring to October 2023, the contractors have returned to work on the service lines and meters, replace a large-diameter natural gas steel main, and permanently restore the areas affected by construction.
From Monday, August 21 into October 2023, a Michels Corporation crew has replaced a large-diameter natural gas steel main on 40th Street E. between Minnehaha Avenue and 46th Avenue S. Restoration on 40th Street E. in this area is happening in the first week of October 2023. There will be no assessment or cost associated with our work.
Project 2: Northern half of Howe Neighborhood
Anticipated time frame: Late August into late November 2023
From late August into late fall 2023, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will replace natural gas mains, move inside meters outside by appointment, and replace and/or reconnect the service lines to the new mains. Some streets will only have service line and meter work. Below is the list of streets with their respective work:
Gas main replacements (gas work done by mid-Oct. w/ restoration to follow)- Isabel Avenue from Park Terrace to 47th Avenue S.
- Park Terrace from 34th Street E. to 47th Avenue S.
- 47th Avenue S. from Park Terrace to 36th Street E.
- 36th Street E. from 46th to 47th Avenues S.
- 46th Avenue S. from 36th to 37th Streets E.
Service line and meter work only (gas work done by mid-Nov. w/ restoration to follow)- 43rd Avenue S. between 34th and 37th Streets E.
- 44th Avenue S. between 34th and 38th Streets E.
- 45th Avenue S. between 34th and 38th Streets E
- 46th Avenue S. between 34th and 36th Streets E. and between 37th and 38th Streets E.
- The alley and Park Terrace between Isabel Ave., Edmund Blvd., 34th St. E., and 36th St. E.
Marking utilities
CenterPoint Energy will contact Gopher State One Call 811 to locate public underground utilities such as water, sewer, and cable. You will see markings such as spray paint and utility flags. They will be color-coordinated to indicate a separate utility.
If you have installed any private lines such as sprinklers or dog fences, we ask that you mark them with whatever material is convenient for you. Examples include spray paint, flags, and wooden sticks used to stir paint. Marking sprinkler heads is sufficient.
Service line and meter work
The customer will receive a CenterPoint Energy postcard in the mail explaining the project before the natural gas crews perform the work. The crews will have CenterPoint Energy-authorized photo IDs. 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.
One natural gas crew typically works on about one block per week. They will either fully replace the service line or reconnect it to the new main, depending on the line’s age. For most properties, the crews remove at least one sidewalk panel in front of the house, excavate a hole by the outside meter, and bore the service line from the sidewalk to the house.
For inside meters, the crew will make a two- to three-hour appointment at a time that works with the resident. We encourage customers to work with the crew on where they want the meter to go, keeping limitations in mind such as a minimum of three feet away from areas such as windows, doors, and vents. Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of the service lines to the new mains.
The technician 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.
Restoration
After the service line and meter work, the gas crew will backfill the excavated areas with dirt or gravel. This will be temporary before the restoration crew comes. On boulevards and lawns, they will fill the areas with black dirt, grass seed, and netting that degrades over about four months. Prior to mowing the restored area, remove any loose staples that secured the netting. For photo examples, please visit our
Restoration Practices page.
Although the restoration crews plan to permanently restore the affected areas this year, they may put down winter erosion control if temperatures aren’t conducive for permanent restoration. This will include asphalt on previously concrete areas and erosion control blankets on lawns and boulevards. In spring 2024, they will return to restore these areas to their original condition.
We hope to minimize the disruption as much as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we replace our infrastructure.
