Ameren Illinois is rebuilding an existing 230 kV transmission line and associated facilities from Cahokia to Joppa. The existing line was originally built in the 1950’s and will be rebuilt as a 345 kV line to better align with Ameren Illinois' current energy system and to create additional customer benefits. Replacing the aging infrastructure and enhancing this transmission line will improve energy reliability, promote access to renewable energy like solar and increase transmission capacity. The rebuild will occur in seven construction phases along the existing transmission corridor.
Hotline: 618.808.3093
SouthernILReliability@ameren.com
Southern Illinois Reliability Project
c/o Volkert
1500 Eastport Plaza Drive, Suite 200
Collinsville, IL 62034
Rebuilding aging infrastructure and enhancing our energy system to improve reliability
Promoting access to renewable energy resources like solar
Increasing transmission capacity
We anticipate beginning construction in Fall 2020 and completing the project by Fall 2023.
Ameren Illinois is currently in the public outreach phase of the Project. There will be ongoing outreach with stakeholders, landowners, businesses, and other community members before, during, and after construction. Our schedule currently anticipates seven construction seasons starting in Fall 2020. Preconstruction activities will begin in Summer 2020.
The Project will be utilizing steel h-frame structures directly embedded into the ground. They will be approximately 80 ft tall. Structures will span approximately 800 ft depending on topography and area features, meaning there will be an average of six to seven structures per mile. The conductor clearance standard for the rebuilt 345 kV line is 25 ft from conductor to grade.
The Commodore to St. John segment will be using double-circuit, steel monopole structures. The structures will be approximately 125 feet tall with a 9-12-foot diameter poured concrete foundation. There will be approximately six to seven structures per mile.
Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2020 and will occur over the course of four years. Preconstruction activities will begin in Summer 2020. The Southern Illinois Reliability Project's construction will occur in the following six phases:
Segment 1: Cahokia-Prairie State- Fall 2020-Spring 2021
Segment 2: Prairie State-Aster- Spring 2021
Segment 3: Aster-Commodore- Fall 2021
Segment 4: Commodore-St. John- Fall 2023
Segment 5: St. John-Jordan- Spring 2022
Segment 6: Jordan-Massac- Fall 2022- Spring 2023