Customers across Knox County now have a more reliable energy grid following the completion of the Knox County Connector Project, according to Ameren Illinois.
The transmission project, placed in service in June, includes approximately 11 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission lines. Most of the work was rebuilt along existing corridors and co-located with existing Ameren Illinois facilities. The line connects the existing Sandburg substation near Galesburg to facilities near Oneida.
“A stronger transmission system in Knox County gives residents and businesses in this region greater access to a balanced mix of safe, reliable and low-cost energy sources,” said Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois. “This new infrastructure is built to serve communities for decades to come.”
Crews replaced aging infrastructure that in some cases was more than 100 years old, according to Ameren. The company says the upgrades will help ensure the region has a grid prepared for current and future energy needs.
“Our project team appreciates everyone who shared their feedback and ideas with us throughout the routing process,” said Joe DeGreeff, project manager for Ameren. “We are thankful for those comments because they helped us propose a design and plan that will best serve the community. During construction, we made it a priority to keep the jobs and benefits here at home by hiring Illinois-based union electric workers.”
More information on the project is available at Ameren.com/KnoxCounty.
