Heads up, Minneapolis residents: major infrastructure updates are on the horizon along Franklin Avenue, with CenterPoint Energy scheduled to upgrade natural gas lines in tandem with Hennepin County's road reconstruction. The project, which sets out to enhance the safety and reliability of the natural gas system, is expected to kick off on July 7. It spans the stretch of Franklin Avenue between Lyndale Avenue South and Chicago Avenue. Detailing the scope, a bulletin from CenterPoint Energy stated that this coordination with the county's efforts will ultimately better serve the community's energy needs.
Prior to the construction, CenterPoint Energy will make its presence known through the marking of public utilities—an essential step for safety—outlining where the work will take place with flags and spray paint. Residents with private lines like sprinklers or dog fences are asked to do their part by marking these themselves. The company has informed that these markings should be made using easily accessible materials such as flags or paint. However, these markings can be discarded once the restoration phase is completed, as per a recent announcement by CenterPoint Energy.
The update will involve replacing aged plastic mains with new plastic piping to secure a more robust and reliable gas distribution network. CenterPoint Energy aims to reduce impact by utilizing boring techniques under roadsides, although some intersections may experience temporary backfill solutions, such as dirt or gravel, until service work wraps up. According to the information disseminated, this is a standard part of operations.
Regarding the logistics of service line and meter work, impacted residents can expect a postcard from CenterPoint Energy notifying them of when crews will be on site. A seamless transition is a goal, with technicians coordinating appointments to relight gas service properties. Crews anticipate finishing roughly one block each week. "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," the announcement conveyed.
Residents will only need to steel themselves for minor inconveniences, as traffic impacts are expected to be minimal, mostly involving restrictions on street parking, closures of one sidewalk at a time, and potential lane shifts. CenterPoint Energy has committed to working closely with residents to ensure access to homes remains unobstructed during this time.
As the community gears up for these essential upgrades, questions and concerns can be addressed by reaching out to their Communication Specialist at [email protected] or 612-542-6198. For further details on the construction process and its impact on the local domain, residents are encouraged to visit CenterPoint Energy's website.
