The Franklin County Connector Project will help provide reliable energy for the growing population in Union and Franklin County
Key Takeaways:
UNION, Mo. (Sept. 21, 2026) – Ameren Missouri is hosting a public open house this week to gather public input on the Franklin County Connector Project. This project will help provide reliable energy for the growing population in Union and Franklin County.
The open house schedule is below:
Ameren Missouri is planning to construct and operate two new 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission lines and one new substation in Franklin County, Missouri.
Since 2000, the population of the city of Union has increased by approximately 75%, bringing in more homes and businesses and increasing the need for reliable electric service. Updated planning studies completed in 2024 and 2025 reaffirmed the need for additional infrastructure to support the area's growing communities and help ensure reliable service for years to come.
The project includes construction of the new Tibbe Substation near East State Highway 47 and College Road; approximately 6 miles of new 138 kV transmission line from Tibbe Substation to the existing Franklin Substation on Bieker Road; and approximately 11 miles of new 138 kV transmission line from Tibbe Substation to the existing Gray Summit Substation on Old Highway 100. The project also includes upgrades to both the Franklin and Gray Summit substations.
"The Franklin County Connector project is the result of more than 15 years of planning to meet the evolving energy needs of Union and Franklin County. Studies first identified the potential need for additional electric infrastructure in 2008, and later studies reaffirmed that need," said John Hitchcock, project manager for Ameren Missouri.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and share feedback at the in-person open house. The open house will feature detailed maps for review and comment. Both open house sessions will provide the same project information and will be held in a come-and-go format, allowing attendees to arrive at any time during the two-hour meeting window. There will be no formal presentation.
"Community feedback is an important part of the planning process. We encourage residents, landowners and interested community members to review the project information, ask questions and share their local knowledge," Hitchcock said. "Public comments help us better understand local perspectives and considerations as we continue refining the project and planning for the area's long-term energy needs."
For those who cannot participate in person, a virtual open house and comment portal will be available at Ameren.com/FranklinCounty. Comments also can be submitted by emailing contact@franklincountyconnector.com or by calling the project hotline at 636-214-6086. Comments on the project will be accepted through Oct. 7, 2026.
The Franklin County Connector Project is scheduled to be placed in service by winter 2029. For more information, visit Ameren.com/FranklinCounty.
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its approximately 1.3 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers approximately 60 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.