April 8, 2024 – Ameren Illinois customers driving in and around North Lake Shore Drive in Decatur will see Ameren crews working from now through August as crews replace steel pipeline and natural gas services with modern, corrosion-resistant polyethylene material.
Work just started on the north end of North Lake Shore Drive. Approximately four miles of steel pipeline is being replaced, along with more than 170 connections to customer homes and businesses. Weather permitting, this phase of the project should be completed by mid-July. The route includes:
· Brush College Road from E. Hickory Street South to E. William Street
· E. Hickory from Brush College Road to N. Hillcrest including East Cottonwood Avenue
· E. Grand Avenue from Brush College Road to N. Hillcrest Drive
· E. Marietta Street from Brush College Road to N. Hillcrest including White Street
· N. James Stret from E. Hickory to E. Marietta, Nickey Avenue, Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood Court, Hillcrest Drive, White Street, Ease Westlake Avenue, Spruce Street, Oak Drive and N. Lake Shore Drive
For projects in process, a brief interruption of natural gas service is required while switching the 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.
“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 Gas Operations. “Many customers think of Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide safe reliable natural gas service to Decatur. We have full-time natural gas professionals who live and work in the Decatur area who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge, 24/7, install new services, and perform construction projects.”
In June, crews will be working between Cerro Gordo Street and Park to install two miles of new polyethylene pipeline and connections to 90 customer premises. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of August. The route includes:
· E. William Street from Brush College Road to N. Lake Shore Drive
· E. Cerro Gordo from Brush College Road to Nickey Avenue, N. Houseland Avenue, N. James Street
· N. Nickey Avenue between E. Marietta Street and E. Cerro Gordo Street, and E. Dufrain Avenue
“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.”
