The new McClean County Transmission line will connect the existing McLean County Substation and the upgraded Normal East Substation located near Normal, Illinois. The Project is needed for Ameren Illinois to improve energy reliability and to support continued growth in the area. The Project is proposed to be in-service by December 2020. Please see the route map approved by the ICC for details.
Ameren Illinois developed proposed routes for the Mclean County Reliability Project in a methodical and collaborative manner, working with landowners, community officials and agencies in order to develop constructible routes that minimize impacts. Preliminary routes were presented and reviewed over a series of open houses in August, November and December 2017. Ameren Illinois gathered and reviewed opportunities, sensitivities, technical guidelines, statutory requirements, and stakeholder input prior to filing proposed routes with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Reliability
Growing Opportunities
After we conducted our routing and public outreach process, Ameren Illinois filed proposed routes with the ICC requesting review and approval of the project. On October 10, 2018 the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved the route and issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the McLean County Reliability Project.
With the route approved by the ICC, landowners will be approached in December 2018 by Ameren Illinois to begin discussions about real estate and field studies. This important milestone in the project process is dependent upon open communication and lays the foundation for the future phases of construction.
As our team works with landowners on the real estate process and pre-construction activities, we would like to thank the communities for their time and cooperation in developing this important Project.
- Docket Number: 18-0455
- View online. For more information, visit ICC.Illinois.Gov.
New transmission line and substation
Project will improve energy reliability
Length: Approximately 10 miles of new transmission line
In-service date: 2020
Voltage: 138,000 volts
Structure: Single-shaft steel pole
Easement width: 100 feet
Phone: 309.319.7186
Media Contact: 309.677.5073
Email: mcleancountyreliabilityproject@ameren.com
Mail: McLean County Reliability Project, 370 S Main St, Decatur, IL 62523
Ameren Illinois developed final proposed routes for the Mclean County Reliability Project in a methodical and collaborative manner, working with landowners, community officials and agencies in order to develop constructible routes that minimize impacts. Preliminary routes were presented and reviewed over a series of open houses in August, November and December 2017. Ameren Illinois gathered and reviewed opportunities, sensitivities, technical guidelines, statutory requirements, and stakeholder input prior to filing proposed routes with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
On October 10, 2018 the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved a route and issued a Certificate for the McLean County Reliability Project. The ICC has selected the orange route with a minor modification displayed on the map a href="/-/media/files/our-company/transmission/mcclean-county/mcrp_approved_route.ashx" target="_blank">available here (PDF). For more information on the ICC's decision, visit icc.illinois.gov/docket and enter “18-0455” in the search box.
To properly design each transmission line structure, our engineers need information about the soil where the structures will be located. The soil data we gather will help our engineers determine the final design and structure locations, and help to minimize impacts to cultural and biological resources during construction.
The collection of soil information is completed using the following steps by our project team:
- Partner with our real estate team Salem Group to request property access.
- Gather samples by our geotechnical field crews from site location by digging a 4-6 inch wide hole into the ground, known as a soil boring.
- Soil boring areas will be back-filled in after the survey.
- Review the soil samples to determine the physical properties and layering of the soil.
- Use the soil information collected to design each foundation and structure dimensions.
The line construction for the McLean County Reliability Project will be completed in the following phases:
Affected landowners who have signed an easement with Ameren Illinois will be contacted in person, by phone and/or in writing at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of construction on their property. Construction activities primarily take place during daylight hours (typically 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) but some work may be completed after dusk. Additionally, our contractors may mobilize to and from the job site before dawn or after dusk. Work will occur on weekdays with potential for weekend construction if necessary to maintain project schedule. Construction phases on the project are intermittent and depend upon weather, ground conditions and project resources.
As communities grow and new sources of energy are developed, substations are built to meet the increased energy demand and expand the system's ability to handle more energy. After energy is generated, it's sent to substations via transmission lines. The substations then lower the voltage level and send the electricity to area homes and businesses through distribution lines.
Upgrades at the Normal East Substation help reduce transmission congestion and improve local energy reliability. Through this Project, Ameren Illinois customers will have improved system reliability and support for continued area growth.