Footage taken from an Ameren Illinois drone, surveying infrastructure at a substation. Ameren Illinois
OREANA â Ameren Illinois crews began working this month to replace over 80 poles and power lines running roughly 4.5 miles parallel to Illinois 48.
The route east of the railroad tracks connects Ameren Illinoisâ Oreana Substation between Decatur and Oreana to its substation on the north side of Argenta.
Upgrades include installments of T-2 power lines consisting of two different wires twisted into one stronger line to better-withstand high winds and accumulation of ice on the overhead grid, according to an Ameren news release.
Composite poles are also being placed strategically along the project route to help âstorm-hardenâ the corridor, said Ameren Spokesperson Brian Bretsch. Every fifth pole is going to be made of highly-durable composite fiberglass to help withstand strong winds. The $3.2 million plan also includes the removal of the vintage steel towers built around 1930.