A methodology to evaluate transmission project profitability including reliability optimization utilizing an evolutionary algorithm is developed in this paper. The methodology uses optimal assignment of shunt compensation in nodes and parallel redundancy in lines with the highest participation in stationary voltage instability subject to economic constrains. The minimum singular value (MSV) technique utilizing the load flow reduced Jacobian matrix of the system is utilized to evaluate stationary voltage instability. An additional concept of costumer damage function is included to consider the reliability worth in electric tariff to justify economically the transmission project. The methodology is applied to the northern area of the Mexican grid.