Minneapolis - Minnehaha Avenue from Franklin Avenue to 24th Street E. - Project Updates

On Monday, May 16, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin replacing the project’s natural gas mains. They anticipate that replacing the project’s natural gas mains will take approximately three weeks. They will replace the main under the east sidewalk of Minnehaha Avenue. During this time, the northbound bike lane will be closed, and bikers will share the driving lane. While the east sidewalk will be closed, the west will stay open for pedestrians.

When this portion of the project is done, the same crew plans to connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains and move inside meters outside.

The crew doesn’t plan to close any of the roads along Minnehaha Avenue. Changes to the schedule will be reflected on this website.

From Monday, May 16 into July 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis under the sidewalk on the odd-numbered side of Minnehaha Avenue from Franklin Avenue to 24th Street E., and under the sidewalk on the even-numbered side of Minnehaha Avenue at 22nd Street E.

While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

For the project’s duration, two-way traffic will be maintained on Minnehaha Avenue.

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.