Stevens Square neighborhood residents can expect some construction disruptions this spring as CenterPoint Energy starts upgrading their natural gas infrastructure along La Salle Avenue, in tandem with city paving efforts. According to details released by CenterPoint Energy, the project is set to kick off on April 28, 2025, and is expected to last just over a month, aiming to boost safety and reliability for the community's energy needs.
During the construction period, various contractors authorized by CenterPoint Energy, each with an identification card, will be active in the neighborhood, and the company cautions residents to ensure they check for this ID before allowing anyone into their homes, they will mark public utilities with flags and spray paint for safety before they start to dig, if anyone has private lines like sprinklers it's up to the homeowners to mark them beforehand. Replacing aging plastic gas mains with upgraded versions will entail temporary closures and backfilling, which could make the area appear unsettled temporarily until permanent restoration is completed, a necessary inconvenience for the longer-term benefits of upgraded infrastructure.
Service line and meter work will be communicated through postcards sent ahead of a technician's visit, with one natural gas crew handling approximately one block per week; residents will have appointments scheduled for tasks like relocating indoor meters outside, receiving notification prior to any work being done on their properties, notably for those who already have exterior meters, to connect them to the new mains. The project will culminate with thorough restoration efforts scheduled a few weeks after the main construction tasks are completed, aimed at returning roads, sidewalks, and landscapes to their pre-construction state or better.
The construction will inevitably influence local traffic, with parking restrictions, sidewalk closures, and likely lane shifts affecting daily commutes, information on these specific impacts will be relayed as decisions are made, CenterPoint Energy has pledged to coordinate with residents to ensure that access to homes remains consistent throughout the project duration extending gratitude for the community's patience. For more details or inquiries, residents can refer to CenterPoint Energy's website or reach out directly to their communication specialist, Una O'Meara, via email at [email protected] or call at 612-542-6198 for a more personal touch in addressing their concerns.
