CHAMPAIGN, IL (MARCH 3, 2021) – Ameren Illinois customers in Champaign will see energy at work firsthand throughout the spring and summer as crews replace vintage steel pipeline and natural gas services with modern, corrosion-resistant polyethylene material.
Starting this month, crews working on behalf of Ameren Illinois will begin to replace approximately 11 miles of natural gas pipeline and approximately 900 individual customers' natural gas services. The upgrades will occur on the west and southwest side of Champaign between Duncan Road and Mattis Avenue from Kirby Avenue at the south to the Interstate 72 westbound lane at the north. All the work in town for this $6.7 million project should be completed by December, weather pending.
"These proactive steps will ensure the continued safe, reliable delivery of natural gas today while preparing us to meet the future needs of our natural gas customers," said Colby Sawin, Director of East Gas Operations. "Many customers associate Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide very reliable natural gas service to Champaign-Urbana. We have more than 20 full-time natural gas employees in Champaign-Urbana who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge, 24/7; install new services; and perform construction projects."
For projects in process, a brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching individual meters over to their new services just before the work is completed. Ameren Illinois will relight natural gas appliances for any customer who requests it. If a customer is not home at the time of the service interruption, the customer may call 1-800-755-5000 to schedule a convenient time for the company to relight natural gas appliances, at no charge.
Safe Digging
As required by law, Ameren Illinois will call JULIE (8-1-1) prior to starting work so crews can dig safely. Customers will see paint marks and colored flags in neighborhoods and along the road to mark the location of underground utilities.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 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.