MARION, Ill. (JULY 25, 2019) – Ameren Illinois is installing 40 new power poles and 5.5-miles of power lines in Williamson County to enhance electric service reliability for customers.
Construction is underway to build a new power source that will tie the company's Herrin South substation to its Cambria substation. The tie will provide alternate pathways to deliver power in the event of an outage for nearly 600 customers. In addition, power lines are being upgraded to 12-kV along Sycamore Road, Cruise Road and Vermont Street in Carterville to add more capacity to the local grid. This added capacity is similar to expanding a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway to meet customers' future energy needs.
Road closures are planned for Vermont Street in Cambria and lanes closures for Sycamore Road in Carterville. Weather permitting, this $880,000 project should be completed in early October.
With work taking place on along the highway, Ameren Illinois asks motorists to slow down in the work zone and be mindful of utility work.
"This project is another key step in our long-range plans to construct a more robust electric grid to meet our customers growing needs,” said Jason Klein, Division Director. “We're excited to bring these enhancements to our customers in Williamson County."
The enhancements are part of Ameren Illinois' multi-year initiative to modernize its energy delivery system. Since 2012, the company has implemented hundreds of projects, adding new technology and strengthening poles, wires and distribution equipment. As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 17 percent and the time of an outage has been reduced by 19 percent.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.