Keeley Civil Spotlight: Metro South Reliability Program

Keeley Construction was called upon by a long-time customer to assist with the replacement of existing lattice towers for monopoles in anticipation of upgraded infrastructure, as part of the Metro South Reliability Program (MSRP). The Keeley Energy team self-performed the placement of 148 drilled shaft foundations from Shrewsbury, MO to Cahokia, IL, crossing over the Mississippi River.

The Metro South Reliability Program is a significant investment for the St. Louis region. This program was implemented in preparation for the Meramec Energy Center’s retirement, helping fulfill the client’s commitment to provide clean, affordable, and reliable energy to our communities. The MSRP constructed nearly 40 project assets as part of the program. Some of these major projects that Keeley constructed consisted of Meramec Switchyard Upgrade, Meramec +/-250mVar STATCOM, transmission line foundations for the segments of the 138kV lines from Watson to Mackenzie, Mackenzie to Lemay, Lemay to the Mississippi River, and a double circuit 138kV River Crossing (located in the one of the highest river traffic areas along the Mississippi).

Construction spanned over the course of four years, so there were some challenges that the team had to overcome. These challenges included working through a multi-year real estate negotiation, construction in compacted utility and railroad corridors, coordination with local residents and governing authorities, program schedule shifts, and outage coordination between all parties involved. Through Keeley’s strategic planning and constant communications, innovative solutions were put in place to overcome these challenges, keep project running smoothly, and achieve ZERO safety incidents.

The Metro South Reliability Program was originally scheduled to be completed on December 1, 2022. The Keeley Energy Team, through their self-perform expertise and experience in the industry, delivered the project six months ahead of schedule, allowing MSRP to be fully in-service on May 25, 2022.

"This major investment in energy infrastructure provides great value to our customers by increasing energy supply capacity, incorporating smart technology and improving reliability, all while bringing cleaner energy sources to homes and businesses. By bolstering the grid with needed upgrades, this project also enables a seamless transition for customers as we retire the Meramec Energy Center at the end of this year."

-Client’s Project Manager

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Keeley Construction Industrial Group Partners with IKO

By Allison Kortkamp • January 15, 2026

Keeley Construction’s Industrial Group is proud to partner with IKO on the construction of a new crushing and coloring plant, supporting the company’s continued growth through a complex, full-scope industrial build. The project includes the construction of multiple buildings, the installation of all equipment & conveyors, and complete site utility work. This project will be delivered on an aggressive 18-month schedule. Keeley’s integrated self-perform teams will execute the work, with the Civil Group handling all civil and concrete scopes and the Steel Erection and Millwright teams leading building erection and equipment installation. “We’re proud to support IKO’s first shingle granular plant in the U.S. and look forward to building a strong, lasting partnership,” said John Herrin, Vice President at Keeley Construction. “Being selected by IKO for this project is a testament to our Industrial Group’s expertise and our ability to safely and efficiently deliver complex industrial work.” IKO emphasized the importance of selecting a trusted partner for this milestone project. “When selecting a contractor for the construction of the Bismarck Granule plant, our team performed a thorough analysis looking for a responsive partner who would be able to successfully execute the project,” said Helen Pejnovich, Regional Manufacturing Director at IKO. “We selected Keeley based on their capability and reputation in the St. Louis area. The fact that both companies are family owned and share values really validated we were making the right decision in choosing Keeley for this important venture for our U.S. operations.” This initial project marks the start of a new partnership with IKO and reflects a shared commitment to safety, coordination, and execution excellence. As IKO continues to expand, Keeley Construction looks forward to supporting future growth with reliable, performance-driven solutions. About IKO: IKO is a global manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing, and insulation products with operations throughout North America and beyond. Family-owned and operated, IKO is committed to innovation, quality, and long-term partnerships that support its customers and communities. About Keeley Construction: Keeley Construction Group was founded in 1975 as a family-owned paving company. Over five decades and 1,700+ Keeley’ns later, Keeley Construction has offices across the nation and is proud to provide world-class service in various market sectors. Guided by a steadfast mission, vision, and core values, Keeley Construction strives to exceed expectations on every project, giving customers the service they demand with the quality and safety they deserve.