Private Utility Work Progresses
In the past two weeks, Centerpoint Energy has completed its work in Areas 1 and 3 in advance of the City’s construction project. With the gas line relocation and replacement complete, reconstruction activities can begin.
Xcel Energy has finished removing decorative street lights in the construction area that are being replaced with new poles and fixtures.
Construction Areas Have Limited Storage Space
This year’s construction area has very limited space for material storage. As a result, boulevard areas within the right-of-way are being used as storage locations.
For your safety, please stay away from the materials. Areas disturbed by construction activities will be restored at the end of the project.
Deadlines for Driveway Estimates
If you’re interested in receiving an estimate to replace your driveway as part of the City’s street reconstruction project, call Public Works (763-593-8030).
Residents in Area 1 must request driveway estimates by Tuesday, May 15.
Residents in Area 2 may request driveway estimates through May 25 (homes on Welcome Circle are not eligible for this program, as Welcome Circle is not being reconstructed).
For residents in Area 3, the deadline for driveway estimates has passed.
 How To Decode Paint Markings, Flags And Stakes
From time to time the City receives calls from residents asking about the colored markings, flags, and stakes in their yards, in the boulevard, or on the street. These indicate the general location of underground utilities (gas, water, sewer, electrical, phone, cable, etc) and are critical to minimizing potential construction impacts to existing utilities.
Paint Markings And Flags
For safety and to protect utilities from damage and interrupted service, law requires anyone (cities, private companies, utilities, homeowners) who wants to dig on either public or private property to first contact Gopher State One Call for underground utility locating. This law applies even if no permit is required for the excavating work (such as planting a shrub on private property).
Once the utilities have been located they are marked with paint and flags using a standardized color code:
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blue = water
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green = sanitary and storm sewer
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red = electric
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orange = communications (telephone, fiber optic, and cable TV)
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yellow = gas
For more information about the importance of locating utilities, go to www.call811.com. Stakes
The wooden stakes placed along the construction area provide workers with information about the location or depth of items being constructed. The stakes are not generally placed in the actual location of the work being done and are offset so they remain in place while construction activity is occurring.
How You Can Help
Marking utilities and placing stakes takes up a significant amount of staff time, material (paint and flags), and equipment. To help conserve City and utility resources and potential impacts to the construction progress, do not remove or move any of the flags or stakes.
Want More Info?
Remember seeing an interesting article in an old edition of Construction News, but can’t remember where the paper copy is?
If you want to learn more about the construction process, the City website also defines construction terms, answers frequently asked questions, and provides helpful coping tips.
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