Ameren Completes Knox County Grid Upgrade
Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois has completed the Knox County Connector Project, bringing approximately 11 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission lines into service between the Sandburg substation near Galesburg and facilities near Oneida.
The project, which became operational in June, replaces sections of transmission infrastructure that had been in service for more than a century, improving reliability while helping meet future electricity demand. Most of the work was carried out within existing utility corridors, limiting the need for new rights-of-way.
Describing the long-term benefits of the investment, Shawn Schukar, chairman and president of Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois, said, "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. This new infrastructure is built to serve communities for decades to come."
The company also highlighted community engagement throughout the planning process. Joe DeGreeff, project manager for Ameren, noted, "Our project team appreciates everyone who shared their feedback and ideas with us throughout the routing process. We are thankful for those comments because they helped us propose a design and plan that will best serve the community." He added that construction prioritized the use of Illinois-based union electrical workers to keep jobs and economic benefits within the state.
Source: galesburg.com
