Ameren Illinois Investing $140 Million to Upgrade Natural Gas Transmission System Across Four Counties

Ameren Illinois is investing nearly $140 million to enhance the resiliency of its natural gas transmission system and ensure compliance with federal pipeline regulations. Customers in four counties will benefit from these upgrades, which include replacing over 20 miles of pipeline as part of a multi-year effort to meet U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines.

Madison County – Crews are replacing six miles of pipeline with new steel, running from World Wide Technology Raceway to Granite City. Three new regulator stations and two control valve stations will also be installed. Weather permitting, this project will be completed by early July.

Madison County 2 – Starting March 3, Ameren Illinois will replace 2.9 miles of pipeline from Horseshoe Lake Road along Illinois Route 157 to Stonebridge Bluff Drive in Collinsville. This project is expected to be finished by early September, weather permitting.

Randolph County – In mid-February, a six-mile stretch of 1960s-era pipeline will be upgraded with new steel, running from the Tilden Natural Gas Storage Field to Sparta. Ameren Illinois is working with the City of Sparta to manage traffic around a temporary road closure on Legion Drive, with completion expected by early July, weather permitting.

Bond County – Work will begin in early April to upgrade nearly seven miles of pipeline from Greenville to Pocahontas. This project, the longest of the five planned for 2025, is expected to be completed by mid-September, weather permitting.

St. Clair County – Starting in mid-April, Ameren Illinois will upgrade two sections of pipeline totaling 1.2 miles between New Athens and Marissa to 16-inch steel. This project should be finished by early September, weather permitting.

Ameren Illinois is collaborating with IDOT and local county officials to manage traffic around the construction areas.

These projects will ensure the continued safe delivery of affordable natural gas to meet the energy needs of our customers and to meet their expectations for reliable gas service during periods of extreme cold weather,” said Brad Kloeppel, Senior Director of Natural Gas Operations, Ameren Illinois. “Many customers think of Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide natural gas service in these four counties and throughout our service territory. We have full-time natural gas professionals who live and work in the area who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge on a 24/7 basis, perform other safety checks, and install new services and other construction projects.” “We need everyone’s help when it comes to work zone safety in these communities and on every route where workers are present,” said Richard Spurgeon, Manager of Safety for Ameren Illinois. “The signs and cones a protected work area. Please slow down as you drive on these local streets and pay attention. Our co-workers and contractors want to return home safely at the end of the day.”