CenterPoint Energy Commences Major Gas Infrastructure Upgrade in Minneapolis's Webber-Camden Neighborhood

CenterPoint Energy Commences Major Gas Infrastructure Upgrade in Minneapolis's Webber-Camden Neighborhood

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 5, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy is set to launch a significant natural gas infrastructure upgrade project in Minneapolis's Webber-Camden neighborhood, with work officially commencing on June 11, 2025. This vital initiative aims to enhance the safety and reliability of the natural gas distribution system for residents and businesses within the community.

The project, which is anticipated to span approximately two-and-a-half months, will focus on North Penn Avenue between North 44th Avenue and North 33rd Avenue, and is expected to conclude by the end of August 2025. This comprehensive upgrade includes the installation of modern gas mains, relocation of inside meters to the exterior of properties, and replacement or reconnection of service lines to the newly installed mains.

CenterPoint Energy emphasizes that this modernization effort utilizes updated plastic piping, which offers increased resistance to corrosion and leakage compared to older infrastructure. The process for installing the new mains will primarily involve a boring method, minimizing disruption to roadways. However, residents should anticipate temporary backfill such as dirt or gravel until permanent restoration can be completed.

Before construction begins on individual streets, CenterPoint Energy's authorized contractors, including Michels Corporation for main replacement and Q3 Contracting for restoration, will be on-site to locate public underground utilities. These areas will be marked with spray paint and flags as a routine safety precaution. Residents are also urged to mark any private utility lines, such as sprinkler systems or invisible dog fences, with distinguishable materials to prevent accidental damage.

Affected residents will receive direct notification, including postcards, before service crews arrive to conduct service line and meter work. For properties with inside meters, technicians will schedule appointments for a two-to-three-hour visit to transition the meter to an outdoor location. Customers with existing outside meters will also be notified prior to the service line replacement or connection to the new mains.

While CenterPoint Energy is committed to minimizing inconvenience, the project will necessitate some temporary traffic impacts. These may include street parking restrictions, single-sidewalk closures, and potential lane shifts on blocks where crews are actively working. Access to homes will be maintained, and CenterPoint Energy will communicate specific traffic impacts as they arise.

Upon completion of all construction, roadways, sidewalks, and lawns affected by the work will be fully restored, with temporary measures in place to ensure livability in the interim. Restoration is typically completed a few weeks after the main construction phases.

Residents with questions or seeking more detailed information about the project's impact on their specific property or the neighborhood are encouraged to visit CenterPoint Energy's dedicated construction zone website or contact their Communication Specialist. For general inquiries, CenterPoint Energy's customer service line for residential customers is 612-372-4727 or 800-245-2377.

This infrastructure upgrade is part of CenterPoint Energy's ongoing commitment to delivering safe, reliable natural gas service to the communities it serves throughout Minneapolis and the wider region.

MinneapoliMedia