Enbridge has selected two contractors for the Great Lakes Tunnel Project. Great Lakes Tunnel Constructors - a partnership between Jay Dee Contractors from Livonia (Michigan), and the U.S. affiliate of Japanese tunnel construction firm, Obayashi Corporation - will construct a 6.4 km (4 mile) long tunnel, about 30.5 m (100 ft) below Lake Michigan, this will house a new Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. The new tunnel will replace the underwater segment of Line 5, twin pipes that have lain across the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan since 1953, running between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario.
Enbridge has also selected Arup (London) to deliver construction design documentation for the Great Lakes Tunnel Project.
The Great Lakes Tunnel Project will enable residents, schools and businesses to continue to receive critical fuel and the thousands of products. Line 5 helps make this possible while increasing environmental safeguards and protection of the Great Lakes. Line 5 each day carries 23 million gallons (87 million litres) of crude oil and natural gas liquids used for propane between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario. Construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel Project will begin in 2021.
Following approximately two years of construction, Enbridge expects to place the new Line 5 segment into service in 2024. Visit https://www.enbridge.com/media-center/media-statements/enbridge-selects-contractors-for-great-lakes-tunnel-project.
16/20.
Enbridge awarded the contract for the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac, to the joint venture Mackinac Straits Partners, composed of Barnard Construction Company Inc. from Bozeman in Montana (50%) and Civil and Building North America Inc. from Miami in Florida (50%) The tunnel will house the Line 5 pipeline as it crosses under the lakebed at the Straits to protect the Great Lakes and the environment and to ensure vital energy resources are delivered safely and reliably to the region.
The contract was awarded following an extensive request for proposal (RFP) process that was initiated by Enbridge in early 2022. The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority (MSCA), which is charged with oversight for construction and operations of the Great Lakes Tunnel agreed that the RFP conformed with requirements of the Tunnel Agreement. Financed solely by Enbridge, the Great Lakes Tunnel, once completed, will be owned and operated by the MSCA.
Enbridge is preparing to begin construction as soon as possible following the receipt of environmental permits for the tunnel project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps has indicated early 2026 for permit decision making. Visit https://www.enbridge.com/. 22/24.
