Minneapolis – Woodlawn Boulevard
Scheduled Start Date: May 10, 2021
Project Resource(s)
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
Beginning on May 10 and lasting into summer or fall 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minneapolis along the following streets:
- Longfellow Avenue S. from Woodlawn Boulevard to 57th Street E.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from just west of Longfellow Avenue S. to 52nd Street E.
- 52nd Street E. from Woodlawn Boulevard to 27th Avenue S.
- 27th Avenue S./Woodlawn Boulevard from 52nd to 50th Streets E.
While Michels Corporation will replace two natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the first of the new mains, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. This project is a continuation from CenterPoint Energy’s 2019 and 2020 projects near Lake Nokomis.
The first natural gas main is small-diameter plastic that is typically bored underground. The second main is large-diameter steel. Since the crews weld the pieces of the pipe together, the steel main replacement requires open excavation and takes longer to install than the small-diameter plastic main. Time spent on each block will vary due to the size of the block, the steel offsets, the restoration preparation, and the weather. Restoration will follow the steel main work.
Where will the crews start work?
- For approximately one week beginning on May 10, crews from Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas plastic main on Woodlawn Boulevard from just west of Longfellow Avenue S. to 21st Avenue S. and on Longfellow Avenue S. from Woodlawn Boulevard to 57th Street E.
- During this time, Woodlawn Boulevard and Longfellow Avenue S. will be closed to through traffic, but residents will be able to access their streets and driveways. Parking will be restricted on both sides of Longfellow Avenue S. and Woodlawn Boulevard. The east sidewalk on Longfellow Avenue S. and the south sidewalk on Woodlawn Boulevard will be closed.
- Following the main replacement in this area, another crew from Michels Corporation will connect the natural gas service lines to this new main for approximately one week.
- In the summer, Michels Corporation will return to replace the large-diameter natural gas steel main on Woodlawn Boulevard from just west of Longfellow Avenue S. to 52nd Street E.; 52nd Street E. from Woodlawn Boulevard to 27th Avenue S.; and 27th Avenue S./Woodlawn Boulevard from 52nd to 50th Streets E. There will be no service line work in this area. Restoration will follow the steel main work.
What are the traffic impacts?
The crews will work in segments rather than all at once. Local access will be maintained. The crews will be on site to help with access. Steel plates may be used as needed for driveway crossings. Sidewalk closures will alternate as needed. One side will remain open to maintain pedestrian access. Detour signs will lead through traffic to the next block or two over. Below are the respective closures:
- 27th Avenue S. and Woodlawn Boulevard from 50th to 52nd Streets E.
- 52nd Street E. from Woodlawn Boulevard to 27th Avenue S. and 27th Avenue S. from 52nd Street E. to Woodlawn Boulevard.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from 52nd to 53rd Streets E.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from 52nd to 54th Streets E.
- 27th Avenue S. on the north side of 54th Street E.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from 53rd to 56th Streets E.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from just south of 56th Street E. to 55th Street E.
- Woodlawn Boulevard from Longfellow Avenue to 56th Street E.
What is CenterPoint Energy’s COVID-19 protocol?
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.
What if I have an inside gas meter?
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 he 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.
What should I expect during restoration?
Crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work, including hard and soft surfaces. 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.
