This Project includes the construction of a new, approximately 4-mile, 138 kV transmission line to connect Citizens Electric’s existing Wittenberg substation in Perry County, Missouri across the Mississippi River to a new Jenkins substation near Ameren Illinois' existing Grand Tower substation in Jackson County, Illinois.

The project is located in Perry County, Missouri, and Jackson County, Illinois.

Although this is a collaborative effort, ATXI and Citizen’s Electric Corporation will develop separate components of the project. ATXI is responsible for developing the new, 4-mile transmission line, river crossing, and the construction of the new AIC Jenkins substation in Illinois. Citizen’s Electric Corporation will expand the existing Wittenburg substation in Missouri.

The Grand Tower River Crossing Project is needed to improve energy reliability for local communities and replace aging infrastructure.

The existing Grand Tower substation parcel is under plans for redevelopment. Replacing this aging infrastructure on the new Jenkins substation property nearby will improve energy reliability and provide smart grid technology. The Grand Tower substation is anticipated to be retired by the end of 2028.

Landowners, community leaders and members of the public are encouraged to stay involved throughout the process. Join our project email or mailing list to receive updates. You can submit questions, leave a comment, provide input, or express concerns through our web comment form here. We also have a dedicated hotline 800.488.7119. If you leave a message, a program representative will return your call. You can also send us an email at connect@grandtowercrossing.com.

Ameren will coordinate with various environmental and cultural-directed regulatory agencies including, but not necessarily limited to, the, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and state historic preservation offices. They have also all been invited to attend our meetings. Ameren has a strong commitment to incorporating environmental management and sustainability principles into our work: Environmental Stewardship - Ameren.com.

Ameren uses an avian-safe structure design and flight diverters where necessary as part of our corporate Avian Protection Plan to minimize impacts to migratory birds.

As a part of Ameren’s evaluation of potential routes, the minimization of environmental impacts, including those to threatened and endangered species, is a priority, and we have dedicated, qualified team members to provide expertise and guidance toward this goal. As a part of this routing evaluation, Ameren will prioritize those routes that will avoid or minimize impacts to threatened and endangered species. Ameren will work with state and federal agencies to identify potential impacts and compensate/mitigate for such occurrences as required for any unavoidable impacts. In most cases through implantation of various conservation measures, Ameren can avoid or substantially minimize impacts to most species. Many threatened and endangered species inhabit our Right of Ways after construction, especially where native vegetation and habitats are established as part of the restoration and ongoing maintenance efforts throughout the project's life. Ameren will work with landowners during the restoration process to identify opportunities for creating quality habitats that may be beneficial to protected species and other more common species.