5/20/2021 Project Update
Crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are continuing to restore the areas affected by CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors Michels Corporation and Minnesota Limited. Currently, they are restoring the concrete panels on Texas Avenue S. at Minnetonka Boulevard until May 21 or 24.
In June, the crews will restore another concrete panel in the southbound lanes of Texas Avenue S. at Minnetonka Boulevard, and they will mill and pave at Minnetonka Boulevard and Texas Avenue S. More details will be added closer to the timeframe.
4/30/2021 Project Update
This spring 2021, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, is permanently restoring the areas affected by CenterPoint Energy’s work for last year’s Texas Avenue S. 2020 Belt Line Project. Last fall, these areas received temporary restoration due to the weather. Below are the streets that will have restoration this year:
Ahead of the Minnetonka Boulevard mill and overlay, Q3 Contracting will be completing final concrete restoration of a few short segments of curb, sidewalk, and roadway between Wayzata Boulevard and Minnetonka Boulevard. There will be overlay work on Minnetonka Boulevard from Texas Avenue S. to about 300’ west of the intersection. There will be one concrete panel on Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 29th Street W.
Before the mill and overlay, there will be temporary curb and sidewalk work on Virginia Avenue and temporary curb work on Texas Avenue S. between 13th Street W. and Wayzata Boulevard (around 20-30 feet).
There will be new concrete curb and gutter on the south side of the railroad bridge on both sides of the road for approximately 150 feet in total. Grass restoration in the boulevards south of the bridge will be done. There will be pavement restoration on 14th Street W. just east of Louisiana Avenue S.
The crews will mill to the centerline and pave final wear course blacktop on the following streets: Texas Avenue S. from 23rd Street to Cedar Lake Road; Cedar Lake Road from Texas to Virginia Avenues S.; Virginia Avenue S. from Cedar Lake Road to 28th Street W.; and 28th Street w. from Virginia to Texas Avenues S.
On the east side of Virginia Avenue S. between Cedar Lake Road and 26th Street W., a few sidewalk panels will be replaced with concrete and final grass work in the boulevard. On Virginia Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to the railroad bridge, temporary blacktop sidewalk will be replaced with concrete.
12/8/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will leave the project’s site by Friday, December 11. Today, Michels Corporation will finish the project’s natural gas work on Texas Avenue S. at Wayzata and Minnetonka Boulevards.
By December 11, Q3 Contracting will have finished paving Virginia Avenue S. between Cedar Lake Road and 28th Street W. in addition to Texas Avenue S. at Wayzata and Minnetonka Boulevards. They will also have finished putting down winter erosion control on the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. This includes temporary asphalt on previously concrete surfaces and straw matting on soft surfaces.
In 2021, Q3 Contracting will return for permanent restoration in these areas. They will also mill Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 13th Lane and from Westwood Hills Drive to Cedar Lake Road; Cedar Lake Road from Texas to Virginia Avenues S.; and Virginia Avenue S. from Cedar Lake Road to 28th Street W.
We appreciate your patience as we upgraded our natural gas system. We wish you a safe and well holiday season!
12/2/2020 Project Update
By Friday, December 11, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors plan to reopen the project’s streets and remove their equipment from the site. Below are the details:
This week, the crews will finish the natural gas work on Cedar Lake Road. On Friday, December 4, the crews will blacktop Cedar Lake Road and Virginia Avenue S., heading south.
Next week, the crews will blacktop Texas Avenue S. at Wayzata Boulevard and Minnetonka Boulevard after the natural gas work is done in those areas. The crews will also put winter erosion control on the sidewalks and boulevards on Virginia Avenue S. from 26th Street W. to about 100 feet south of the railroad bridge. The winter erosion control will include temporary asphalt on the sidewalks and straw matting on the boulevards.
In 2021, the crews will return for permanent restoration in these areas. They will also mill Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 13th Lane and from Westwood Hills Drive to Cedar Lake Road; Cedar Lake Road from Texas to Virginia Avenues S.; and Virginia Avenue S. from Cedar Lake Road to 28th Street W.
11/25/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting, will finish the Texas Avenue S. 2020 Belt Line Project in December. While Michels Corporation will connect the new main on Texas Avenue S. to the existing intersecting ones on Wayzata Boulevard and Minnetonka Boulevard, Q3 Contracting will pave the roads. Below are the details:
From December 2 to 11, the crews will close the northbound lanes of Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 13th Lane. During this time, eastbound and westbound traffic on Wayzata Boulevard will remain open. Westwood Hills Road and 13th Lane will remain open.
From Monday, November 30 to approximately Friday, December 11, the crews will close parking on Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street W. as they work in the southbound lane. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Texas Avenue S. The entrance to Ruby Dental’s parking lot will remain open during this work.
Cedar Lake Road will have the final natural gas work and paving completed in the week of November 30 or December 7.
11/24/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors, Michels Corporation and Q3 Contracting, are continuing to work on this project.
From Monday, November 30 to approximately Friday, December 11, the crews will close parking on the west (southbound) side of Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street W. The purpose will be to finish the project’s natural gas work and to pave the road. The entrance to Ruby Dental’s parking lot will remain open during this work.
The details for the last portion of this project’s work will remain the same, according to the November 19 update below.
The crews will not work from November 26 to 29. They will return on site on November 30. We wish you a safe and well holiday weekend.
11/19/2020 Project Update
What should I expect in the next two weeks?
On Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will close two-way traffic on Texas Avenue S. just north of Cedar Lake Road for the final layer of blacktop. During this time, westbound traffic will remain closed on Cedar Lake Road between Texas Avenue S. and Virginia Circle S.
On November 25, the crews will open Texas Avenue S. to two-way traffic. They will open Virginia Circle N. and close Virginia Circle S. at Cedar Lake Road. In the week of November 30, the crews will open Cedar Lake Road to two-way traffic after the final paving is done.
During the two-day closure on Texas Avenue S., detour signs leading drivers to St. Louis Park Middle School will take them from Louisiana Avenue to Wayzata Boulevard to Texas Avenue S.
Although the crews will have replaced the new natural gas main by Thanksgiving, the final portion of this project’s natural gas work involves testing the new natural gas main’s pressure and connecting it to the existing intersecting mains at either end of the project. In the week of November 30, the crews will be performing this work on Texas Avenue S. at Wayzata Boulevard and just north of Minnetonka Boulevard. When the natural gas work is done, crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will follow immediately behind for the paving.
11/17/2020 Project Update
Where have the crews been?
CenterPoint Energy closed westbound Cedar Lake Road between Virginia and Texas Avenues S. until approximately Friday, December 4. This closure will accommodate the natural gas main replacement and the road’s paving. Texas Avenue S. is open one-way northbound only from Cedar Lake Road to Westwood Hills Road. The crews will alternate the closure of Virginia Circle N. and Virginia Circle S. during this time.
Crews from Q3 Contracting paved Texas Avenue S. from Westwood Hills Drive to approximately 200 feet north of Cedar Lake Road. On November 24, the crews will pave Virginia Avenue S.
One crew from Michels Corporation is continuing to replace the natural gas main in the northern lane of Cedar Lake Road from Texas to Virginia Avenues S. Another crew is replacing the main on Virginia Avenue S. south of the railroad bridge, heading further south.
Where will the crews be?
CenterPoint Energy estimates that the natural gas main will be installed within the week of Thanksgiving. In the week of November 30, the final natural gas work will happen, including testing the pipe’s pressure, connecting it to the existing intersecting mains, and removing their equipment from the area. Restoration will follow.
In the middle or end of this week, the crews will open Virginia Circle N. at Texas Avenue S. and close Virginia Circle S. at Cedar Lake Road. This new opening and closure will remain in place for approximately two weeks to accommodate the natural gas main replacement.
When the natural gas work is done, the crews will blacktop Texas Avenue S. at Virginia Circle N. before blacktopping Cedar Lake Road at Virginia Circle S. If the crews need to blacktop in front of residential driveways, the crews will notify the residents ahead of time.
11/10/2020 Project Update
In the week of November 30, the crews plan to finish the project’s natural gas work with restoration to follow.
This week, weather permitting, the crews will pave 28th Street W. between Texas & Virginia Avenues S. and Texas Avenue S. between 23rd Street W. and half a block north of Cedar Lake Road. The sidewalk on Texas Avenue S. between 28th Street W. and Minnetonka Boulevard is open.
One crew closed westbound Cedar Lake Road between Texas and Virginia Avenues S. This closure will remain in place until late November to accommodate the natural gas main replacement and the paving.
A second crew closed Virginia Avenue S. from 28th Street W. to Cedar Lake Road. The crew has been replacing the natural gas main under the railroad bridge.
11/4/2020 Project Update
Today, the following traffic changes began:
The crews closed Virginia Circle N. at Texas Avenue S. and opened Virginia Circle S. at Cedar Lake Road. In approximately two weeks, after the natural gas work and the paving is complete at Virginia Circle N., the crews will open Virginia Circle N. and close Virginia Circle S.
The crews opened Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street W., and they opened the intersection of 26th Street W. and Virginia Avenue S.
The crews closed Virginia Avenue S. between 26th and 28th Street W. to replace the natural gas main under the railroad bridge. This is expected to remain closed until late November.
Texas Avenue S. is open one-way northbound only from Cedar Lake Road to Westwood Hills Drive.
Late this week and next week, the following traffic changes have been made:
From Friday, November 6 to Wednesday, November 11, the intersection of Texas Avenue S. and 28th Street W. will be closed for paving. Drivers heading eastbound on Cedar Lake Road will be directed to southbound Louisiana Avenue and westbound Minnetonka Boulevard.
On Monday, November 9, the crews will close westbound Cedar Lake Road and keep eastbound open between Texas Avenue S. and Virginia Avenue S. On Cedar Lake Road, the traffic signals will be flashing during active construction. This will last into late November.
11/2/2020 Project Update
Two-way traffic will remain open on Texas Avenue S. and Cedar Lake Road for Election Day tomorrow.
The natural gas work for this project is anticipated to end within the week of Thanksgiving. Restoration will follow closely. Any areas that receive temporary restoration this year will receive permanent restoration in 2021.
Last week, the crews finished the final blacktopping of Texas Avenue S. between 23rd Street W. and Wayzata Boulevard.
On Wednesday, November 4, the following traffic changes will start:
The crews will close Virginia Circle N. at Texas Avenue S. and open Virginia Circle S. at Cedar Lake Road. After the natural gas work and the paving is complete at Virginia Circle N., the crews will open Virginia Circle N. and close Virginia Circle S.
The crews will open Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street W., and they will open the intersection of 26th Street W. and Virginia Avenue S.
The crews will close Virginia Avenue S. between 26th and 28th Street W. to replace the natural gas main under the railroad bridge. This is expected to remain closed until late November.
Between Texas Avenue S. and Virginia Avenue S., the crews will close westbound Cedar Lake Road and keep eastbound open. Texas Avenue S. will become one-way northbound only from Cedar Lake Road to Westwood Hills Road. On Cedar Lake Road, the traffic signals will be flashing during active construction.
10/29/2020 Project Update
Virginia Avenue S. is currently closed to through traffic from 28th Street W. to Cedar Lake Road. The crews replaced one natural gas main and connected the residential service lines to the new main. Until the week of Thanksgiving, the crews will replace and connect the Phase 3 main to the existing intersecting ones. This duration will include replacing the main under the railroad and restoring the area. In 2021, the crews will return for permanent restoration.
10/28/2020 Project Update
Cedar Lake Road
Beginning in the first week of November and lasting until late November 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will replace the natural gas main and restore the areas affected by their work on Cedar Lake Road between Virginia and Texas Avenues S. On Election Day, the crews will open Texas Avenue S. and Cedar Lake Road for two-way traffic.
The crews will close westbound Cedar Lake Road between Virginia and Texas Avenues S. to through traffic. The crews will work with residents on maintaining access. The sidewalk on Cedar Lake Road will remain open. During this time, the crews will alternate the closure of Virginia Circle S. and Virginia Circle N. When Virginia Circle N. is closed at Texas Avenue S., northbound but not southbound will remain open on Texas Avenue S.
The detour route for Virginia Circle S. is southbound Louisiana Avenue S., westbound Minnetonka Boulevard, and northbound Highway 169. The detour route for Virginia Circle N. is eastbound Wayzata Boulevard, southbound Louisiana Avenue S., and westbound 28th Street.
Restoration
By the end of this week, the crews plan to open Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street W. Today on Wednesday, October 28, the crews are paving the blacktop base from Franklin Avenue to 23rd Street W. On October 29, the crews will mill to the road’s centerline. On October 30, the final blacktop layer from 13th to 23rd Streets W.
When the weather isn’t conducive for permanent restoration, the crews will return in 2021 to permanently restore the areas affected by their work.
10/20/2020 Project Update
Below are details on where CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors have been working:
On Election Day, the crews will provide two-way traffic on Texas Avenue S. and on Cedar Lake Road.
Natural gas work:
Four crews have been working on the project. One crew was replacing pipe on Texas Avenue S. just south of Westwood Hills Drive. They will continue work toward Cedar Lake Road, which they should reach in the week of October 26. The second crew closed Virginia Avenue S. between the railroad bridge and Cedar Lake Road. The third crew connected the first crew’s pipe at Franklin Avenue on Texas Avenue S. The fourth crew connected the pipe to the natural gas vault at Minnetonka Boulevard and Texas Avenue S.
Restoration:
Last week, the crews paved the concrete base on Texas Avenue S. from Minnetonka Boulevard to 29th Street W. and the first of two blacktop bases on Texas Avenue S. from 14th Street W. to the north side of Franklin Avenue. This week, the crews will finish the paving at Minnetonka Boulevard and Texas Avenue S. In the week of October 26, the crews plan to pave Texas Avenue S. from Franklin Avenue to 23rd Street W. and 28th Street W. between Texas and Virginia Avenues.
10/8/2020 Project Update
Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to Franklin Avenue
On Tuesday, October 13, the crews will pave Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to Franklin Avenue. Although two-way traffic will be open by the end of the week of October 12, the crews will return to this area for a final layer of paving the asphalt in the first week of November. Afterward, the crews expect to open this section—in addition to other sections of Texas Avenue S.—and remove the traffic control equipment.
Virginia Avenue S.
Beginning on Tuesday, October 13 and lasting for three weeks, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will close Virginia Avenue S. to through traffic between Cedar Lake Road and 28th Street W. While Michels Corporation will replace the natural gas main, Q3 Contracting will restore the road.
During this time, we advise that residents on Virginia Avenue S. can access their homes through Burd Place or 26th Street W. When the crews need to block a driveway during business hours, the crew will notify the residents ahead of time.
Residents on 25th and 26th Streets W. can access their homes through Rhode Island or Quebec Avenues S. Residents on Victoria Curve, Victoria Lane, Victoria Circle or Victoria Way can access their homes through 28th Street W. and Rhode Island Avenue S.
Service line work on Virginia Avenue S.
Several homes on Virginia Avenue S. between Cedar Lake Road and Burd Place will have their service lines connected to the natural gas main. The residents will be contacted by the inspectors to schedule the appointment. The natural gas work will begin on October 14 and last until October 23, with restoration to follow.
10/7/2020 Project Update
The crews have been replacing the natural gas main on Texas Avenue S. between 28th Street W. and Minnetonka Boulevard. Currently, this area is closed to through traffic until October 23. The detour route is Minnetonka Boulevard, Louisiana Avenue and Cedar Lake Road.
From October 13 to 23, the crews will close the western half of the intersection of Minnetonka Boulevard and Texas Avenue S. Drivers heading west on Minnetonka Boulevard can turn south onto Texas Avenue S., and drivers heading north on Texas Avenue S. can turn east onto Minnetonka Boulevard. The detour route is Texas Avenue S., 36th Street W. and Highway 169 to Minnetonka Boulevard. For any remaining work on Texas Avenue S. and Minnetonka Boulevard, traffic will be shifted, and parking lot entrances will be open.
10/6/2020 Project Update
The crews have opened Wayzata Boulevard for eastbound and westbound traffic. Currently, drivers can head north on Texas Avenue S. from 14th Street W. to Wayzata Boulevard.
Two-way traffic is open on Minnetonka Boulevard. The crews are pouring concrete on Texas Avenue S. at 14th and 31st Streets W. and at Minnetonka Boulevard.
As of today, the crews have closed Texas Avenue S. between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street W., and 28th Street W. between Texas and Virginia Avenues S. The closure is expected to last for approximately three weeks. Detour signs lead drivers to Minnetonka Boulevard, Louisiana Avenue S. and Cedar Lake Road. To help direct traffic, the crews have placed “road closed to through traffic” signs at each street in between the detour routes.
9/29/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are working in the following areas:
By the end of this week, crews from Michels Corporation anticipate replacing the natural gas main on Texas Avenue S. between Franklin Avenue W. and 22nd Street W. Another crew is at Texas Avenue S. and 29th Street W., working north to 28th Street W. this week.
Crews from Q3 Contracting restored the area of Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W. This week, the crews are paving Wayzata Boulevard at Texas Avenue S. They anticipate that by the afternoon of Friday, October 2, they will open Wayzata Boulevard for eastbound and westbound traffic. When they are done paving Wayzata Boulevard, they will pave Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 14th Street W.
9/24/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors are continuing work in the following areas:
Crews from Michels Corporation have closed Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 22nd Street W. The natural gas work at Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W. is complete. The crews installed the natural gas vault at Minnetonka Boulevard and Texas Avenue S.
This week and early into the week of September 28, crews from Q3 Contracting will restore Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 14th Street W. When the paving is done, this area will be open for traffic.
9/16/2020 Project Update
In the week of September 21, the crews will extend the closure of Texas Avenue S. to Franklin Avenue.
In the week of September 28, the crews plan to pave and open the intersection of Wayzata Boulevard. They will also pave Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to 14th Street W.
From 14th Street W. to Franklin Avenue, Texas Avenue S. will be closed until approximately mid-October. Local access is maintained.
The crews are continuing to work at Texas Avenue S. and Minnetonka Boulevard. In the week of September 28, the crews plan to restore the area of Texas Avenue S. and 31st Street. During this time, northbound traffic on Texas Avenue S. can reach Minnetonka Boulevard. The crews will continue their work on Texas Avenue S. north of Minnetonka Boulevard.
9/9/2020 Project Update
The crews are continuing to work at the following places: Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W.; Texas Avenue S. just south of Minnetonka Boulevard; and Texas Avenue S. between Wayzata Boulevard and Texas Circle.
At Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W. and at Texas Avenue S. and Minnetonka Boulevard, the crews are connecting the new natural gas main to regulator vaults. The crews are also restoring the areas affected by their work at Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W.
The closure of Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to Texas Circle will continue for approximately two or three more weeks. This closure will accommodate the natural gas main replacement and the restoration of the road. When the crews are finished with this section, they will close Texas Avenue S. from Texas Circle to W. Franklin Avenue.
In the week of September 21, the crews plan to pave and open Wayzata Boulevard for eastbound and westbound traffic.
9/3/2020 Project Update
The crews are continuing work at Texas Avenue S. and Wayzata Boulevard into mid-September and along Texas Avenue S. between 28th and 31st Streets W. into the week of September 7 or 14.
For the majority of September, the crews put no parking signs on the south side of 13th Lane. These signs will accommodate any emergency vehicles who need to access Westwood Hills Road. Additional “road closed” signs have been placed at 14th Street W. and Pennsylvania Avenue S. Restoration is following the work at Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W.
No work will happen on Monday, September 7, in recognition of Labor Day. Construction will resume on September 8. We wish you a safe holiday weekend.
Within late October, when the crews plan to finish the natural gas main’s replacement, they will be returning to areas along Texas Avenue S. between Wayzata and Minnetonka Boulevards. They will be connecting the new main to the existing intersecting ones. More details will be added closer to the time of these connections.
8/27/2020 Project Update
The closure of Wayzata Boulevard (the south frontage road of I-394) at Texas Avenue S. will continue to be closed for approximately two or three more weeks. This will accommodate the natural gas main replacement and the restoration of the road. We appreciate your patience as we continue to upgrade our natural gas lines. We wish you a safe season.
8/26/2020 Project Update
Texas Avenue S. south of Wayzata Boulevard
Crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have closed Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard to Texas Circle. They anticipate the closure to last for most of September to accommodate Phases 3 and 4, which consist of the natural gas main installation and the restoration of the road. The detour route leads drivers to Louisiana Avenue S. and Cedar Lake Road. Currently, residents can access their driveways. If the crews need to block a driveway, they will communicate with the residents at least one business day before the closure.
Louisiana Avenue S. and 14th Street W.
The crews are finishing the natural gas work at this intersection. Restoration will follow shortly after the work is complete.
Texas Avenue S. and Minnetonka Boulevard
The crews have closed the northbound lanes of Texas Avenue S. from 28th to 31st Streets W. Currently in this area, drivers can travel only southbound into the week of September 7 or 14. The detour route for northbound traffic is Walker Street, Louisiana Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard (28th Street). During this time, drivers can travel eastbound and westbound across Minnetonka Boulevard and 31st Street. Drivers can’t access Texas Avenue from 29th Street.
8/20/2020 Project Update
From spring to fall 2020, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors have been and will continue to work along Texas Ave. S., Cedar Lake Rd. and Virginia Ave. S. between Wayzata Blvd. and Minnetonka Blvd. Since the week of August 10, the crews have been working on Phase 3 of 4.
Until late August or early September, the crews will continue replacing the natural gas main and facilities at Texas Avenue S. and Wayzata Boulevard (the south frontage road of I-394). The intersection of Texas Avenue and Wayzata Boulevard will be closed while the crews are working in this area.
In the middle of the week of August 24, the crews will begin working south on Texas Avenue S. from Wayzata Boulevard, replacing the second of the project’s natural gas mains. They plan to close approximately three blocks of Texas Avenue at a time for approximately two or three weeks at a time. Although the road will be closed to through traffic, local resident access will be maintained. During the work day, there will impacts to individual driveways as the crews replace the natural gas main in the street. The crews on site will give advance warning and coordinate access with residents. At the end of the work day, every effort is made to have all driveways opened for the night.
We appreciate your patience as we continue to work with the City of St. Louis Park on timing and road closures.
8/12/2020 Project Update
From August 19 to approx. September 9, 10 or 11, the following traffic plan will be in place:
Northbound traffic on Texas Avenue between 31st Street and 28th Street will be closed. The detour route for northbound traffic is Walker Street, Louisiana Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard (28th Street).
During this time, drivers can travel eastbound and westbound across Minnetonka Boulevard and 31st Street. Drivers can’t access Texas Avenue from 29th Street. This closure will open earlier depending on weather and construction progress.
8/6/2020 Project Update
Beginning on Monday, August 10, crews from Michels Corporation will set up a lane shift on Texas Avenue S. just south of Minnetonka Boulevard. Further lane closures are anticipated in this area, beginning in the week of August 17. More details will be added closer to the closure’s date.
8/4/2020 Project Update
What will CenterPoint Energy do at Louisiana Ave. S. and 14th St. W.?
In the weeks of August 10 and 17, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors will perform work on 14th Street W. at Louisiana Avenue S. While Michels Corporation will remove an existing natural gas main, Q3 Contracting will restore the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work. In the week of August 3, the crews will set up their equipment to prepare for the work.
Traffic Impacts
The crews will alternate the closures on 14th Street W. For several business days, the crews will close 14th Street W. west of Louisiana Avenue S. For the remaining one and a half weeks, they will close 14th Street W. east of Louisiana Avenue S. During these closures, northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained on Louisiana Avenue S. The respective detour routes will lead drivers to 16th Street W. from either Maryland or Kentucky Avenues S.
If the crews need to temporarily work in front of driveways during working hours, the crews will work with residents on access. These restrictions are anticipated in areas where active construction is occurring and are necessary to keep both the public and construction personnel safe.
8/3/2020 Project Update
What are the estimated traffic impacts for Wayzata Blvd. and Texas Ave. S.?
From Monday, August 10 to the end of August 2020, the intersection of Texas Avenue S. and Wayzata Boulevard, the south frontage road of I-394, will have staged closures to allow space for the crews to replace the natural gas main. During this time, traffic will be detoured to Cedar Lake Road, Louisiana Avenue, Laurel Avenue and Winnetka Avenue.
From August 10 to Wednesday, August 12, the crews will close westbound traffic on Wayzata Boulevard at Texas Avenue S. During this time, westbound traffic will be detoured to Louisiana Avenue, Laurel Avenue and Winnetka Avenue. From August 12 to the end of August 2020, the crews will close westbound and eastbound traffic on Wayzata Boulevard at Texas Avenue S.
7/30/2020 Project Update
Where have the crews been so far?
Since this spring, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractors have been working on Phases 1 and 2 of 4 along Texas Ave. S., Cedar Lake Rd. and Virginia Ave. S. between Wayzata Blvd. and Minnetonka Blvd. These phases involved replacing the small-diameter natural gas mains and connecting the natural gas service lines to these new mains. Phases 1 and 2 are concluding. Phase 3 will involve the replacement of a large-diameter natural gas steel main along this route.
Where will the crews be this summer and fall?
CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, will perform Phase 3. In the week of August 3, the crews will set up their equipment in two places: at Texas Ave. S. and the south frontage road of I-394, and at Texas Ave. S. and Minnetonka Blvd. In the week of August 10, the crews will begin replacing the natural gas main. One crew will start at I-394, working south along Texas Ave. In late August, a second crew will start at Minnetonka Blvd., working north.
What are the estimated traffic impacts?
For the majority of the project, a one-way southbound lane will remain open on Texas Ave. S. The crews anticipate that in September, a full closure of Virginia Ave. S. will happen south of Cedar Lake Road for a limited time. Detour routes will be posted. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained, but during the workday there may be localized disruptions to driveways. CenterPoint Energy inspectors will be on site to coordinate with residents.
7/21/2020 Project Update
Crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are nearing completion of Phase 2 of 4 on the project. So far, they connected the project’s natural gas service lines to the new main along Texas Avenue S., Texas Circle, Cedar Lake Road, and most of Virginia Avenue S.
Phase 3 will begin this summer. More details will be added closer to the phase’s date.
Meanwhile, crews from Q3 Contracting, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, are following Phase 2’s route, restoring the areas affected by Michels Corporation’s work.
7/1/2020 Project Update
Crews from Michels Corporation are continuing to connect the natural gas service lines to the new main on Texas Avenue S. They finished the service line work between Cedar Lake Road and 22nd Street W. and are currently working between 22nd and 23rd Streets W. Afterward they will work on Virginia Avenue S.
The current traffic plan on Cedar Lake Road is anticipated to be lifted by this Friday, July 3.
6/23/2020 Project Update
This week one crew from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin connecting the natural gas service lines to the new main on the north side of Cedar Lake Road. Later this week, the crew will transition the traffic control from the north to the south side of Cedar Lake Road to connect the service lines there. This traffic control plan will last early into the week of June 29. When the service line connections are done, the traffic control devices will be removed from Cedar Lake Road, whose traffic will resume to normal.
6/16/2020 Project Update
In the weeks of June 15 and 22, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, Michels Corporation, will continue to work on Cedar Lake Road between Virginia and Sumter Avenues S. This week, the crews are replacing the natural gas main for Phase 1 of 4. Currently, eastbound traffic is open. The detour route for westbound traffic is from Louisiana Avenue S., Minnetonka Boulevard and Highway 169.
This week and next week, the crews are connecting the natural gas service lines to the new main for Phase 2. Next week, the crews will close the southern lane of Cedar Lake Road between Virginia and Sumter Avenues S., allowing two-way traffic on Cedar Lake Road.
For a few weeks in late summer or early fall 2020, the crews will return to Cedar Lake Road to replace the natural gas main and restore the road for Phases 3 and 4. Updates will be provided on this web page. We appreciate your patience as we continue to upgrade our natural gas lines.
6/4/2020 Project Update
In the week of June 8, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will replace the natural gas main on Cedar Lake Road between Sumter and Virginia Avenues S. During this time, the crews will allow one-way traffic heading eastbound.
6/2/2020 Project Update
A lane shift is remaining in place on Texas Avenue S. from Cedar Lake Road to past 22nd Street W. On Monday, June 8, the crews plan to flip the traffic control to the north side of Cedar Lake Road. The closure on Virginia Avenue S. will remain closed for approximately one or two weeks. This will allow for the natural gas work and the restoration.
5/27/2020 Project Update
Today crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, have closed the south side of Cedar Lake Road from Virginia to Texas Avenues. Tomorrow or Friday the crews will close the north side of Cedar Lake Road in this area for approximately one week. The crews have replaced the natural gas main on Texas Avenue from Minnetonka Boulevard to 28th Street W. and are connecting the new main to the existing intersecting ones. The crews are working on Virginia Avenue north of the railroad from 26th Street W. to Cedar Lake Road.
5/20/2020 Project Update
Tomorrow on Thursday, May 21, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin locating underground public utilities along CenterPoint Energy’s project route. On Tuesday, May 26, the crews will begin Phase 1, which is replacing the first of the project’s two natural gas mains.
5/15/2020 Project Update
What will CenterPoint Energy do?
In the week of May 18, crews from Michels Corporation, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, will begin to replace the first of the project's two natural gas mains on Texas Avenue S., working north from Minnetonka Boulevard.
Crews will begin working between Minnetonka Boulevard and 28th Street, maintaining two-way traffic but restricting parking in areas of active construction. Parking will also be restricted on Virginia Avenue at Texas Avenue.
4/29/2020 Project Update
CenterPoint Energy and the City of St. Louis Park hosted a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 6, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Representatives from CenterPoint Energy and the City of St. Louis Park answered questions about the project. Please see our Project Description page for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation.