Ameren Illinois customers in and around Springfield and Armington will see energy at work firsthand throughout the spring and well into the fall as crews replace vintage steel pipeline and natural gas services with pipes made of modern, corrosion-resistant polyethylene material.
Contractors working on behalf of Ameren Illinois will replace more than 14 miles of natural gas pipeline and nearly 600 distribution pipes that serve individual customer homes and businesses. The total investment for these projects is $5.7 million and all should be completed by the end of the year, weather pending.
Armington:
- Armington Road – Crews started working this month to upgrade 17,000 feet of pipeline to provide and 150 customers' natural gas services. Total project investment is $1.3 million.
Springfield:
- Sandhill Road – Crews started working in March to replace 16,500 feet of pipeline and more than 125 customers' gas services.
- Harrison Lane – Approximately 30 customers' gas services and more than 5,000 feet of pipeline will be upgraded starting in June.
- Twin Lakes – In June, crews will begin work to upgrade 12,000 feet of pipeline and more than 140 customers' natural gas services.
- Mayden Avenue – For customers living in this neighborhood, crews will be working in May. The upgrades include 12,000 feet of pipeline and more than 140 customers' services.
- Catalina Lane – Starting in May, crews will start work to upgrade 10,000 feet of pipeline and more than 70 customers' gas services. Total investment for the five streets in town is $4.5 million.
"These proactive steps will ensure the continued safe, reliable delivery of natural gas today while preparing us to meet the future needs of our natural gas customers," said Andrea Parker, Director of Northern Gas Operations. "Many customers think of Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide reliable natural gas service to the greater Springfield and Armington areas. We have more than 60 full-time natural gas employees in the region who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge, 24/7; install new services; and perform construction projects."
Ameren Illinois is asking motorists driving through these local neighborhoods to be mindful of the trucks moving and employees working near the streets and to slow down in the work zone.
"We need everyone's help when it comes to work zone safety in these neighborhoods and on every route where workers are present," said Karen Boulanger, Director of Safety for Ameren Illinois. "The signs and cones create their protected work area. Please slow down as you drive on these local streets and pay attention. Our co-workers want to return home safely at the end of the day."
For projects in process, a brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching individual services over to their new services just before the work is completed. Ameren Illinois will relight natural gas appliances for any customer who requests it. If a customer is not home at the time of the service interruption, the customer may call 1-800-755-5000 to schedule a convenient time for the company to relight natural gas appliances, at no charge.
Safe Digging
As required by law, Ameren Illinois will call J.U.L.I.E. (8-1-1) prior to starting work so crews can dig safely. Customers will see paint marks and colored flags in neighborhoods and along the road to mark the location of underground utilities.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.