GRANITE CITY — Ameren Illinois crews have begun electric infrastructure upgrades near U.S. Steel in Granite City to reduce power outages and strengthen the local grid, with construction expected to continue through November 2027.
The project includes a new switching station near the steel facility, upgrades to two existing substations and installation of a new 69-kilovolt subtransmission line, according to an October 2026 company release. Additional electric line projects are also planned.
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“Investments like these are essential to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric system for our customers,” said Langston Rose, director of West Region electric operations for Ameren Illinois. “In addition to supporting future energy needs, these upgrades will strengthen the local grid and help us better withstand and recover from severe weather events that can affect communities throughout the Metro East.”
Ameren Illinois said the improvements are designed to reduce the frequency and duration of outages for residential, commercial, and industrial customers while helping the system meet current and future energy demand.
The new switching station will give crews more flexibility in managing power flows. The substation and line upgrades will create additional pathways to restore power, helping crews respond more efficiently after storms, the company said.
The upgrades reflect years of planning, according to Ameren Illinois, and are part of its broader effort to modernize electric infrastructure.
