ILLINOIS – Ameren Illinois is modernizing the energy grid between the Oreana and Argenta substations in the northeast part of Macon County.

The company is investing $3.2 million in the project.

Ameren Illinois contractors will replace more than 80 poles and power lines on the nearly 4.5-mile route that connects the Oreana Substation between Decatur and Oreana to the Argenta Substation on the north side of Argenta.

Crews will strategically place composite poles along the project route. Approximately every fifth pole will be made of composite fiberglass, which is able to better withstand high winds during storms. In addition, the plan calls for the removal of all the vintage steel towers, which were constructed around 1930.

The enhancements are part of Ameren Illinois' multi-year initiative to modernize its energy delivery system. Since 2012, the company has implemented projects which have improved reliability by an average of 22 % and reduced outage time by 16 %.

The project is scheduled to begin in early March and be completed in early November 2021.  

Source: Ameren Illinois