Natural Gas Line Upgrades in Buffalo
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.
Project Resources
Overview
1 Ave NE and Division St
Starting around May, 2026, CenterPoint Energy and authorized contractors will upgrade the natural gas infrastructure. This work is expected to last up to 8 weeks.
April 27, 2026 Update:
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels, plans to begin replacing the natural gas main under the west sidewalk of 1 Ave NE between 1st St S and 5 St NE. They anticipate that the main replacement on this road will take approximately 1-2 weeks. During this time, parking will be restricted on west side of 1 Ave NE in some areas. They will then be replacing the gas main under the south sidewalk along 1 St NE and the alleyway east of 1 Ave NE. The work will start within the area that is already closed for road reconstruction work. The crew will then proceed with work moving north along 1 Ave NE.
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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 of the construction process. Employees of authorized contractors will have CenterPoint identification cards. You are encouraged to ask to see identification before allowing technicians inside your home.
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
To increase the safety and reliability of CenterPoint's gas distribution, natural gas mains are replaced with modern piping. Main is replaced by either boring underneath one side of the road or trenching in the road. Please keep in mind that some intersections may not be permanently restored until after the work is complete. Until then, customers may see temporary backfill such as dirt or gravel.
Service line and meter work
After completing main work, service line work can begin to connect your property to the main. CenterPoint will send notice before the service crew arrives on site. 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.
Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the meter's replacement or connection of their service lines to the new main, and a technician will schedule appointments to relight the gas service on each property. The crew will also make appointments with residents to move inside meters outside.
Visit the Construction Definitions page for more information.
Restoration
The final step in an infrastructure project is to restore the areas that may have been impacted by construction. Restoration is typically on site for a few weeks after the completion of other construction activities. Until then, temporary restoration is done by the utility crews. For more details visit the Restoration Practices page.
Traffic impacts
Most traffic impacts will be restrictions on street parking, closure of one sidewalk at a time, and lane shifts. Crews will work with owners on maintaining access to and from their property. Additional traffic impacts and road closures will be communicated as they are in place.
Additional Resources
If you have questions, reach out to CenterPoint Energy's Communication Specialist at 612-542-6198 or MNconstruction@centerpointenergy.com
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we replace our infrastructure! We value the privilege of having you as a customer.
