Natural Gas Line Upgrades on Lowry Avenue
We are committed to keeping our customers informed about important updates we are making to our infrastructure – designed to enhance safety, improve reliability, and continue to provide you with the energy you need for life's moments. The following outlines the work we plan to complete this spring on NE Lowry Avenue.
Project resources
- If you contact CenterPoint Energy, please reference this project's work order number 112550297.
Overview
For a few months beginning in mid- March, CenterPoint Energy's natural gas infrastructure along Lowry Avenue NE will be replaced between Fillmore Street NE and Ulysses Street NE. This project is in relation to a street reconstruction project being done by Hennepin County. The County's project stretches from Central Avenue to Ulysses Street NE along NE Lowry Avenue.

Contractor Summary
CenterPoint works with multiple contractors to complete construction projects in a safe and timely manner. You will see these contractors working in your area and may be contacted by them at various stages in the construction process. Employees of authorized contractors will have CenterPoint Energy identification cards. Do not allow anyone inside your home without seeing identification.
Marking utilities
CenterPoint Energy will locate public underground utilities. This is an important safety preparation, done before construction begins. The utilities will be marked with spray paint and flags. If you have installed any private lines such as sprinklers or dog fences, we ask that you mark them with a material that is convenient for you. Examples include spray paint, flags, and wooden sticks used to stir paint. Marking sprinkler heads is sufficient. If any utility flags are left in residents' yards after restoration is complete, they may be removed and thrown away.
Natural gas main work
A large diameter steel gas main will be installed along the north side of NE Lowry Avenue and will require a trench to be opened in the road. The new main will have protective coatings that add to the infrastructure's durability.
Typical impacts of steel main construction include noise, vibrations, and dust.
Service line and meter work
CenterPoint Energy will send a postcard in the mail before the service crew comes on site. A technician will schedule appointments for relighting gas service to each property.
One natural gas crew typically completes one block per week. 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.
The crew will make appointments with residents to move inside meters outside. Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of their service lines to the new main.
Visit the Construction Definitions page for more information.
Restoration
The final step in an infrastructure project is to restore the roads, sidewalks, boulevards, and lawns that were impacted by construction. Restoration is typically on site a few weeks after the completion of all other construction. Until then, temporary restoration is done by the utility crews to maintain an area's livability. For more details visit the Restoration Practices page.
Traffic impacts
Westbound traffic will be restricted throughout the entirety of CenterPoint's construction. A shut down of all traffic on NE Lowry Avenue will begin on April 7. Additional traffic impacts will be communicated as they are determined.
Additional Resources
If you have questions, reach out to CenterPoint Energy's Communication Specialist at 612-542-6198 or una.omeara@centerpointenergy.com.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we replace our infrastructure. We value the privilege of having you as a customer.