MERRILLVILLE  — NIPSCO announced June 29 its completion of the new 100-mile Reynolds-Topeka electric transmission line project, which connects three NIPSCO Indiana-based substations in Reynolds, Burr Oak and Topeka.

The utility said the 345-kilovolt line will enhance system reliability, offer environmental benefits by increasing access to wind and solar energy, and allow for greater access to supplies of electricity, including improved access to lower-cost electricity for customers.

“The completion of this project provides significant value to our customers and beyond as we further strengthen and enhance our energy infrastructure for the future,” said Violet Sistovaris, NIPSCO president.

The Reynolds-Topeka project is one of 17 priority Multi-Value Projects and one of two in Indiana identified by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc., which controls and operates the transmission grid for all or parts of 15 Midwest U.S. states, including Indiana, and the Canadian province of Manitoba. The project began in 2012, with construction starting in mid-2016.

NIPSCO also marked the completion the 70-mile Greentown-Reynolds 765-kV line, connecting the Greentown Station near Kokomo to the Reynolds Station located in Reynolds. Greentown-Reynolds is another MVP project in Indiana and was a joint effort between NIPSCO and Pioneer Transmission LLC – a joint venture of Duke Energy and American Electric Power.

NIPSCO said the two Indiana projects had a combined cost of approximately $600 million.

NIPSCO is based in Merrillville and serves about 810,000 natural gas and 460,000 electric customers across northern Indiana.