Repairs or replacement of CenterPoint Energy’s underground utilities are sometimes necessary to keep natural gas flowing to our Minnesota customers. We strive to repair and restore streets and grass disturbed by CenterPoint Energy to as close as possible to their original states, and are committed to completing restoration work quickly, and to a high standard in compliance with all laws. Restoration work is typically done by our authorized contractor, Q3 Contracting, after the utility work is completed.
Timely repairs: A number of factors can impact the restoration schedule, including the type and extent of the project, the location and the weather. During the spring, summer and fall, our goal is to complete restoration work in the metro area within five to seven days, and in outstate Minnesota in seven to ten days. For projects completed in late fall, restoration will be completed the following spring. Restoration is not done on new construction job sites or when utility work is done in conjunction with city initiated street replacement projects.
Hard and soft surface restoration: CenterPoint Energy requires the highest quality restoration materials, including seed, blacktop and concrete. When repairing a street or sidewalk (hard surface), the utility crew fills in the bell hole, and the final restoration is done by a separate contractor that specializes in hard surface restoration. Boulevard and yard (soft surface) restoration is done by a separate contractor that specializes in soft surface restoration.
Seed versus sod: There are a number of advantages to using seed versus sod when restoring yards and boulevards when doing soft surface restoration. Repairs made with black dirt and seed provide for a naturally non-transplanted repair that requires less maintenance and far less watering (15 minutes per day versus twice a day for sod). The grass seeds germinate in seven to 14 days, after which the roots grow down as the blades of grass grown up, providing for a more sturdy and stable restoration.
Communication and follow up: We understand the importance of working closely with customers and city representatives, including city inspectors and permit officials, to minimize the potential disruption and inconvenience. We’re committed to providing information and scheduling updates as necessary to keep city staff informed when construction and restoration work is taking place
in your community.
