If you’re wondering what’s being built across from Cajun Connection in Utica, it’s an electrical substation.
Mounds of dirt are piled up on the southeast corner of Route 6 and East 9th Road where Ameren is putting a new substation. It’s part of the power company’s plan of putting new transmission lines along Interstate 80 from La Salle to Wedron.
At last night’s village trustee meeting, Mayor Fred Esmond and Engineer Kevin Heitz said they didn’t find out the substation was going in until driving by and stopping to ask the contractor. Ameren didn’t need the village’s approval since the land is just outside village limits.
Ameren bought five acres for the substation.