Peoria Standard

A new transmission line will run through part of the 93rd House District. In an Aug. 3 Facebook post, Rep. Travis Weaver informed his constituents of open houses to discuss the line.

"Ameren's Transmission branch will be hosting several open houses next week to discuss a new line that will run through a portion of the 93rd District," Weaver posted. "Feel free to stop by and learn about the project, as well as voice your feedback to members of Ameren's staff."

In an Aug. 3 news release, Weaver shared information about both open houses and the meetings scheduled for those events.

“Information for the open houses is below: Peoria County: Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Bartonville American Legion Post 979, 4501 Airport Rd., Bartonville; and Fulton County: Thursday, Aug. 10, at Big Horse Vineyards, 11603 N County HWY 9, Lewiston. There are two meetings scheduled for the open houses, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.”

The new transmission line was announced in 2022, and on Sept. 13, had its first open house to discuss what they call the “Peoria County Reliability Project,” which includes a 138-kilovolt transmission line, according to a March 2022 Central Illinois Proud report. The estimated completion date for this project is December 2025.

Ameren has a website that dives into the Peoria County Reliability Project. The project will connect the existing Alta substation in Peoria County, Illinois to the existing Pioneer substation in the City of Peoria, according to Ameren’s project website. The organization shows the project schedule. 2022 was for data collection and design, including gathering stakeholder and agency input, as well as identification of the final route. In 2023, they’ll be getting the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity decision, continue with engineering and permitting; environmental surveys and permitting; and easement acquisition. Pre-construction and construction are estimated for 2024, with the project coming into service in 2025.

Weaver was elected to represent the 93rd House District in 2022. He is a lifelong Illinois resident and has a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Alabama and a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University. He spends his free time tutoring GED students, competing in marathons and working as a substitute teacher. He lives in Edwards, Illinois, according to his legislative biography.