What is the crews’ progress?

This month, crews from NPL, CenterPoint Energy’s authorized contractor, plan to finish replacing a portion of the project’s natural gas work. By May 1, they plan to replace the project’s remaining footage of natural gas mains on the following streets:

• 28th Avenue N. from Black Oaks Lane N. to Zanzibar Lane N.
• 29th Avenue N. from Black Oaks Lane N. to Zanzibar Lane N.
• Zanzibar Lane N. from 29th Avenue N. to 26th Avenue N. at Dunkirk Lane N.

In late April or early May, the crews plan to begin moving inside meters outside by appointment and replacing and/or reconnecting the service lines to the new mains. (This is a correction from our previous update on April 12.) As a reminder, here is what to expect during the service line and meter work:

What can I expect for meter and service line work?

The customer will receive a CenterPoint Energy postcard in the mail describing the project before the natural gas crews perform the work. The crews will have CenterPoint Energy-authorized photo IDs. After the customer receives the postcard, the foreman will arrive at the customer’s house to schedule an appointment that typically meets with the customer’s schedule. If the customer isn’t home when they arrive, they will leave a door tag with their contact information to schedule an appointment with them.

One natural gas crew typically works on about one block per week. They will either fully replace the service line or reconnect it to the new main, depending on the line’s age. For most properties, the crews excavate holes in the boulevard and by the outside meter and bore the service line from the gas main to the house.

For inside meters, the crew will make a two- to three-hour appointment at a time that works with the resident. We encourage customers to work with the crew on where they want the meter to go, keeping limitations in mind such as a minimum of three feet away from areas such as windows, doors, and vents. Customers with outside meters will be notified prior to the replacement or connection of the service lines to the new mains.

The technician will access the natural gas meter inside the house, move the meter outside, and relight the natural gas appliance pilot lights after the new meter has been relocated.

What can I expect for restoration?

When the crews finish their natural gas work in an area such as boulevard or lawn, they will backfill the excavations and place temporary straw netting for erosion control. Another contractor, Q3 Contracting, will come to put in black dirt, grass seed, and netting that degrades over about four months. This final restoration may not take place immediately after the gas work is done. We appreciate your patience as there may be a few weeks before Q3 Contracting arrives.

How can I contact CenterPoint Energy? 

Check out our website for more details and for updates on the crews’ progress. If you have questions, please contact our Communication Specialist at 612-321-5546 or hannah.gullickson@centerpointenergy.com. We thank you for your patience as we’re upgrading our infrastructure!