Ameren Illinois will soon begin work on upgrading transmission power poles between the Mt. Vernon and Centralia Substations. Seventy power pole structures and lightning protection shield wires will be installed this fall as part of the Ameren Illinois’ Energy at Work initiative.
The $5.8-million project will follow a nearly 16-mile route from Ameren Illinois’ South Centralia Substation to its Mt. Vernon West Substation. The project should be completed by early 2022.
Ameren Illinois is asking motorists driving along US 51 and other roadways in the area south and east of Centralia to be mindful of the trucks moving and employees working in the area and to slow down in the work zone.
The Director of Southern Region Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois, Jason Klein, says the upgrades are part of their overall statewide plan to build a cleaner, greener, more resilient grid. He notes with these enhancements, Ameren Illinois is taking proactive steps to prepare for the future needs of its electric customers. Klein says they are excited to bring these enhancements to customers in and around Jefferson County.
