Franklin County Connector Project
Ameren Missouri is working to build a more reliable and resilient energy grid for the future. Ameren Missouri has been planning this project for decades while serving the growing populations of Union, Missouri, and Franklin County overall. Originally planned as the “Prairie Dell” project back in 2008, the local population has now grown large enough that stronger electric infrastructure is required to reliably serve existing Franklin County customers.
About the Project

The Franklin County Connector Project includes constructing the new Tibbe Substation (Tibbe) near East State Highway 47 and College Road, approximately 6 miles of 138 kV transmission line from Tibbe to the existing Franklin Substation on Bieker Road, and approximately 11 miles of 138 kV transmission line from Tibbe 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 need for additional electric infrastructure in 2008, and that need has only grown. Since 2000, the City of Union's population has increased by approximately 75 percent, bringing in more homes, businesses and improvements necessary 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.

View the Interactive Map
Project Benefits

Reliability

Improving energy reliability for the surrounding region and local communities

Resiliency

Increasing transmission capacity to meet changing energy needs

Energy Access

Promoting access to a balanced mix of energy sources
Project Overview
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Interactive Map
Project Map – September 2026 (PDF)
Project Fact Sheet (PDF)
Fall 2026 Summer - Fall 2026 Winter 2026 - 2028 2028 - 2029 Winter 2029

Data Collection & Design

  • Project planning and initial stakeholder engagement
  • Gather public, stakeholder and agency input
  • Routing and public engagement

Primary Route Identified

  • Finalizing route
  • Real estate begins

Surveys & Real Estate

  • Engineering and permitting
  • Environmental surveys and permitting
  • Easement acquisition process

Preconstruction & Construction

  • Preconstruction activities
  • Construction begins

Construction

  • Construction complete
  • Project in-service

Community leaders and members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input during the routing phase to help identify the preferred route. The goal of the routing process is to identify and take advantage of opportunities while understanding and minimizing impacts to sensitivities and adhering to technical guidelines and statutory requirements.

The team will gather and review data from community members, landowners, and stakeholders to inform the routing process. Public outreach and stakeholder engagement will take place in the form of an open house in September 2026 to gather input on the route segments. All input received during the outreach and engagement process will be reviewed and considered, along with project routing criteria, during the development of the Proposed Route.

Meeting Format Date Time Address
In-Person Morning Session in Franklin County* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. East Central Training Center:
350 Audrey Lane Union, MO 63084
In-Person Afternoon Session in Franklin County* Wednesday, September 23, 2026 4:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. East Central Training Center:
350 Audrey Lane Union, MO 63084
*Both open house meeting sessions will feature the same project information and are being offered at different times to accommodate varying schedules. The open house will be held in a come-and-go format with no formal presentation. Project team members will be available throughout the event to provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback.
Contact Us
We have a designated project hotline and email address the public can use to contact members of our Project Team. Have a question? Please contact us using one of the methods below.

Phone: 636.214.6086

Email: contact@franklincountyconnector.com

Mail: Franklin County Connector Project Attn: WSP 701 Emerson Road, Suite 250 Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Frequently Asked Questions