Residents and businesses in Peoria County now benefit from a stronger and more reliable local energy grid with the completion of the Peoria County Reliability Project, a five-mile high-voltage transmission line in north Peoria. The new line is now operational and designed to reduce the frequency and duration of power outages by providing an additional pathway for electricity to flow into the region, while also supporting continued growth in the area.
Patrick Smith Sr., president of Ameren Illinois, emphasized that the project strengthens the grid to better withstand severe weather and maintain reliable electricity for the community. He noted that the project was completed on time and on budget, ensuring long-term benefits for central and southern Illinois communities while keeping costs as low as possible.
The project involved collaboration with 22 vendors and contract partners, many of which have offices or operations in the Peoria area. Community input played a key role in shaping the final route for the 138-kilovolt transmission line, which connects an existing substation in Alta with the Pioneer Substation in the city of Peoria. The line enters Peoria from the west near West Altorfer Drive and Allen Road, runs south parallel to Allen Road, then turns east near the intersection of Allen Road and Willow Knolls Drive before ending at the Pioneer Substation near Pioneer Park.
Tyler Hazelwonder, project manager for the Peoria County Reliability Project, highlighted the importance of staying in contact with landowners, county officials, and other state and local agencies throughout the project. He explained that collaboration with the local community allowed Ameren Illinois to refine the project, capitalize on improvement opportunities, and deliver value to customers. The project was competitively bid and built with Illinois-based union electric workers, further contributing to the state’s economy.
To engage with the community and gather feedback, Ameren Illinois hosted a series of open houses, providing residents and landowners the opportunity to ask questions and comment on route options. This input helped the company finalize the project design before receiving approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission in August 2023, allowing the transmission line to be completed and energized for the benefit of Peoria County.
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