Ameren Illinois begins phase two of $65M natural gas transmission pipeline upgrade
Work on the second phase of a $65 million natural gas transmission pipeline modernization project will begin in Belleville, Ill., in early April, as Ameren Illinois seeks to update infrastructure.
The project began in 2019, but this year will focus on a six-mile stretch of natural gas transmission pipeline from Frank Scott Parkway/Concordia Church Road northwest to Illinois Route 13. Vintage steel pipes that have been in service since the 1950s will be swapped for new, 16-inch steel pipes in an effort to bolster both system integrity and reliability.
“We have made significant progress in the last seven years strengthening the integrity and reliability of our natural gas infrastructure across our Ameren Illinois service territory,” Richard Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois, said. “As we look to the future, we are building a robust energy delivery system that meets the needs of our customers in St. Clair County and throughout our service territory.”
Phase one consisted of another six-mile stretch of pipeline, from Green Mount Road to Frank Scott Parkway. When completed in mid-September, Ameren expects the new pipeline to benefit not just Belleville but to extend outward to Swansea, Millstadt, Smithton, Hecker Freeburg, New Athens, Fayetteville, St. Libory, Lenzburg, Marissa, Tilden, Coulterville, and Sparta.
