Minnetonka - McGinty Road W. Neighborhood west of I-494 - Project Updates

In the week of August 15, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began replacing the natural gas main under the north side of the road of Minnehaha Place between Minnehaha Place and McGinty Road. They anticipate that the main replacement on this road will take approximately 1.5 weeks. During this time, parking will be not restricted.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas main under the east side of Oak Lea Drive from Minnehaha Court going north. During this time, parking will be not restricted.

From Monday, July 18 into fall 2022, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in Minnetonka along select streets west of Interstate 494 and near McGinty Road W. 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.

Lane and parking closures will occur. Flaggers will be on site. Along McGinty Road W., the crew plans to close one intersection of Copperfield Place at a time.

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.