St. Louis Park - Louisiana, Library and Gorman Avenues - Project Updates

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, connected the natural gas service lines to the new mains on Library Lane. They are currently connecting the service lines on Louisiana Avenue S. before working on Gorham Avenue. Q3 Contracting will follow to restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.

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.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, began connecting the natural gas service lines to the new mains. They are starting on Library Lane at Lake Street W., working north to 1st Street NW. Then they will work on Gorham Avenue at Walker Street, working north to Library Lane. Traffic will remain open, while the parking lanes will be the only restrictions.

A crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced the natural gas main on Louisiana Avenue S. up to 33rd Street W. This week, the crew will connect this new main to the existing intersecting main at 33rd Street W., keeping traffic open.

Until Sunday, September 26, the crew will replace the main on Louisiana Avenue S. During this time, one lane is open with traffic open in both directions. This section will be the final portion of replacing the project’s natural gas mains.

In the middle of the week of September 26, another Michels Corporation crew will come to connect the service lines to the new mains.

This week, the crews are continuing to replace the natural gas main on Library Lane between 33rd Street W. and Lake Street. During this time, Library Lane has been open to traffic and parking, but one sidewalk has been closed. From Friday, September 17 to Wednesday, September 22, the crews will close the intersection of Library Lane and 33rd Street W.

In the week of September 20, they plan to replace the main on Louisiana Avenue S. between 31st and 33rd Streets W. In that same week, they plan to finish the project’s natural gas main replacements.

In September or October, the crews will begin connecting the service lines to the new mains.

This week, a crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, replaced the natural gas main on the east side of Gorham Avenue from Walker Street to Library Lane. Gorham Avenue has remained open to traffic.

After Labor Day, the crews will replace the main on Library Lane from Lake Street to 33rd Street W. during the week of September 6. During this time, Library Lane will remain open to traffic. For approximately one or two business days, the crews will close Library Lane to through traffic at 33rd Street W. The crews plan to perform this work and closure on Friday, September 10.

After the main is replaced on Library Lane, the crews will replace the main on Louisiana Avenue S. between Library Lane and 31st Street W., keeping the streets open to traffic.

After the main is replaced, another crew from Michels Corporation will connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains. We want to thank you for your patience as we upgrade our natural gas lines and wish you a Happy Labor Day weekend!

Today on Tuesday, August 31, the crews began replacing the main on Gorham Avenue at Walker Street, working north along Gorham Avenue. The crews have closed a lane and are maintaining two-way traffic on Gorham Avenue between Walker Street and 2nd Street. During this time, the cross streets and entrances to parking lots and driveways will remain open, but parking will be closed on both sides of Gorham Avenue in this area.

On Monday, August 30, the crews will leave Gorham Avenue open to traffic. Their work will begin on August 30 or 31. More details will be provided early next week.

Beginning in late August and lasting into fall 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will work in St. Louis Park along the following streets: Louisiana Avenue S. from 31st Street W. to Gorham Avenue; Gorham Avenue from Louisiana Avenue S. to Walker Street; and Library Lane from 3rd Street W. to Lake Street W.

While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas mains, connect the natural gas service lines to the new mains, and move any inside residential meters outside, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. The following traffic plans will occur at separate times rather than all at once:

Gorham Avenue from Louisiana Avenue to 2nd Street W.: Road closed to through traffic. Access to businesses and parking entrances will remain open. Detour signs will lead drivers to 32nd Street and Kentucky Avenue, or to Oak Leaf Drive and Louisiana Avenue.

Gorham Avenue as it merges into Louisiana Avenue: Road closed to through traffic. Detour signs to 32nd Street and Kentucky Avenue.

Gorham Avenue from Walker Street to 2nd Street: Two-way traffic will be maintained.

Library Lane from 33rd Street to Lake Street: Parking and sidewalk will be restricted on the odd-numbered side of Library Lane. 33rd Street at Library Lane will be closed. Detour signs to 2nd Street and 33rd Street.

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.

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.