Heads up, Whittier residents: CenterPoint Energy is rolling out some infrastructure improvements in your neighborhood this month that are expected to enhance safety and reliability when it comes to your natural gas service. Starting around June 16, the company plans to upgrade natural gas mains along Pillsbury Avenue, stretching from West 29th Street all the way to the Midtown Greenway. "For about one week, beginning as early as June 16, CenterPoint Energy will upgrade natural gas infrastructure along Pillsbury Avenue between the intersection of West 29th Street and the Midtown Greenway," according to CenterPoint Energy's announcement.
During this period, the company has promised to work closely with multiple contractors to safely and efficiently complete the project. You might notice these workers around, and they should be carrying CenterPoint Energy identification cards—don't hesitate to ask them for an ID before letting anyone into your home. Also, if you've got your private lines, like sprinklers or dog fences, it's time to mark them clearly to avoid any mishaps, as the utility crew will be marking public utilities to safely prepare for construction.
The focus is on swapping out aging plastic mains—a move that is supposed to increase the overall safety and reliability of the gas distribution in the area. This could result in some temporary inconveniences, such as temporarily restored intersections filled in with dirt or gravel until the service work wraps up. Customers will be kept in the know with regular mail updates regarding the replacement or connection of their service lines.
"For most properties, the crews remove at least one sidewalk panel in front of the house, excavate a hole by the outside meter, and bore the service line from the sidewalk to the house," CenterPoint Energy explained. Post-project, the restoration team will circle back a few weeks after construction has ceased to put the cherry on top by restoring roads, sidewalks, and lawns that were unavoidably disturbed. In the short term, residents will have to deal with some temporary fixes to maintain the area's livability.
Traffic patterns in Whittier are bound to get a little shake-up as well. Expect some street parking limitations, sidewalk closures, and even the odd lane shift here and there. The crews will try to lessen the blow by coordinating with folks to maintain home access. Got questions or need more details on this project? Shoot your queries over to [email protected], or give them a call at 612-542-6198. And let's hear it for patience and understanding as Whittier's gas game gets a revamp! For any additional info on the project's construction impact, you can always visit CenterPoint Energy's website.
