Ameren’s subsidiary Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) has selected the final route for the Mark Twain Transmission project, which is a 100-mile long transmission line capable of transmitting 345kV.
The project is expected to cost $250m and is expected to be completed in 2019. A substation to take the supply of electricity will be built in Northeast of Missouri.
Ameren stated that the new route has received assents from the commissions of the five counties, where the line will be located. A final approval from Missouri Public Service Commission is to be received for the construction of the project.
Ameren stated that the project will run through the counties of Adair, Knox, Lewis, Marion and Schuyler. The Zachary Substation will be constructed adjacent to the existing Adair Substation in Adair County.
ATXI chairman and president Shawn E. Schukar said: "The final route was selected based on feedback from landowners and community members during the past several months.
"We are grateful to those who took the time to share their opinions and preferences with us, and we look forward to working together with Northeast Power and Ameren Missouri as we move forward with this important project for northeast Missouri."
The route will co-locate on the existing right of way on Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative’s (Northeast Power) 161kV line between Palmyra and Kirksville and Ameren Missouri's 161kV line from Kirksville to the Iowa border.
As part of the project, the 59-mile long Northeast Power’s 161kV transmission line running between Palmyra and Kirksville will be completely rebuilt.
Ameren stated that it will completely rebuild and replace the wooden H-Frame transmission facilities with new steel structures.
Northeast Power CEO and general manager Douglas Aeilts said: "Due to the age of Northeast Power's current 161,000-volt line, it would need to be replaced within 10 to 15 years at a cost of approximately $30m.
"Working with ATXI on this co-location project allows Northeast Power to save a significant amount of money while enhancing the reliability of our transmission system.
“Northeast Power is committed to providing our member-distribution cooperatives with safe, affordable, reliable electricity and value-added services. Our involvement in this project is consistent with that promise."
Mark Twain Transmission project is one of the several projects to strengthen the regional electric grid by Midcontinent Independent System Operator. The Missouri portion of the new power line is said to have been delayed for years due to legal and regulatory hurdles.