JEFFERSON COUNTY — Ameren Illinois is installing new power poles and lines in the Bluford area to enhance electrical service reliability for customers.

Construction is underway to upgrade a 2.5 mile stretch of power poles and lines along old Fairfield Road between Harmony Lane and Shawnee Lane. No road closures are planned for this project, and Ameren officials say this $1.4 million project will be completed by early October, weather permitting.

Officials say this new power line source will provide an alternate pathway back to a new substation located just east of Mt. Vernon on Campground Lane just north of Old Fairfield Road. It will allow Ameren to deliver power from a second source during any future planned maintenance work and also provide for faster restoration in the event of an outage for nearly 500 customers.

The enhancements are part of Ameren Illinois’ multi-year initiative to modernize its energy delivery system. Since 2012, the company has implemented hundreds of projects, adding new technology and strengthening poles, wires and distribution equipment.  As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 17 percent and the time of an outage has been reduced by 19 percent.