Loring Park residents, get ready for some construction as CenterPoint Energy begins an upgrade to the neighborhood's natural gas infrastructure this spring. Starting in early April, the project will see the replacement of gas mains on West Grant Street, from Spruce Lane to La Salle Avenue, according to a recent bulletin from CenterPoint Energy. The work is scheduled to last for roughly a month and is being done in coordination with road construction efforts by the City of Minneapolis.
The upcoming construction will include several contractors, all working under CenterPoint Energy's banner to safely and promptly complete the project. Residents can expect to see these contractors in the area, and should only allow those with proper CenterPoint Energy identification into their homes. The utility company has stressed the importance of safely locating public underground utilities before the construction kicks off, advising residents to similarly mark any private lines, like sprinklers or dog fences, for visibility.
CenterPoint Energy will be replacing older plastic mains with modern alternatives to boost the safety and reliability of the gas distribution network. "Plastic mains reaching the end of their useful life are replaced with modern plastic piping," the company detailed in the bulletin. Part of the process will involve boring beneath road surfaces, which may result in temporary backfill with materials such as dirt or gravel until permanent restoration is feasible.
Before any service line and meter work begins, residents should look out for a postcard in their mail from CenterPoint Energy. Technicians will need to schedule appointments to relight gas services, and in some cases, may need to relocate meters from the inside to the outside of properties. Each crew aims to complete work on one block per week, meaning disruptions in certain areas should be relatively short-lived. When it comes to road and sidewalk restoration, they intend to follow up with permanent fixes a few weeks after construction ends, though temporary solutions will be in place in the meantime to maintain livability.
Traffic in the affected areas is expected to encounter certain restrictions, such as limited street parking, one sidewalk closure at a time, and possible lane shifts. Specific impact details will be communicated as they are determined by the utility crews, who pledge to actively work with residents to maintain access to their homes. CenterPoint Energy expressed gratitude for the community's patience and understanding, emphasizing their commitment to providing reliable energy services. For any questions, residents can reach out to CenterPoint's Communication Specialist via email at [email protected] or call 612-542-6198.
