May 2021, Vol. 248, No. 5
Features
Ameren Illinois Begins Phase 2 Transmission Pipeline Upgrade
Special to Pipeline & Gas Journal
Ameren Illinois began Phase 2 of a $65 million project to modernize its natural gas energy delivery infrastructure in and around Belleville, Ill., the company said.
Beginning in early April, about 125 Ameren Illinois contractors started upgrading a 6-mile (10-km) stretch of natural gas transmission pipeline from Frank Scott Parkway/Concordia Church Road northwest to Illinois Route 13. Crews began replacing vintage steel transmission pipeline from the 1950s with new, 16-inch (406-mm) steel pipeline.
Completion of the pipeline, expected by mid-September, will strengthen the integrity and reliability of the company’s natural gas system and support economic development for Belleville, Swansea, Millstadt, Smithton, Hecker, Freeburg, New Athens, Fayetteville, St. Libory, Lenzburg, Marissa, Tilden, Coulterville and Sparta.
“Safe, reliable and affordable energy are among the factors that drive growth in local communities,” said Mark Kern, chairman of the St. Clair County Board. “The natural gas upgrades will not only meet the energy needs of local residents and businesses, it will put us in a position to attract new, job-creating investment to the County. We thank Ameren Illinois for their efforts to modernize our local infrastructure.”
In 2019, crews completed Phase 1 of the project, a 6-mile stretch from Green Mount Road to Frank Scott Parkway.
“We have made significant progress in the last seven years strengthening the integrity and reliability of our natural gas infrastructure across our Ameren Illinois service territory,” said Richard J. Mark, chairman and president, Ameren Illinois. “As we look to the future, we are building a robust energy delivery system that meets the needs of our customers in St. Clair County and throughout our service territory.”
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