U.S. Army Corps approves Enbridge's $500 million Line 5 Tunnel project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted federal approval for Enbridge’s Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel, a $500 million project to encase the existing oil pipeline beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac in a concrete tunnel. The permit marks a major milestone for the Canadian energy company’s plan to reinforce one of the region’s most scrutinized pipeline systems.
The Line 5 pipeline, in operation since 1953, transports crude oil and natural gas liquids between Wisconsin and Ontario, with a 4-mile section running along the lakebed where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. Enbridge proposed the tunnel in 2018 after damage to the pipeline’s protective coating and a boat anchor strike raised environmental and safety concerns.
While the Corps’ environmental review earlier this year acknowledged potential risks — including impacts on wetlands, bat habitats, and aquatic life — federal officials determined the project complies with applicable laws and regulations. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s April directive to expedite energy infrastructure permitting.
The tunnel, to be bored through bedrock beneath the straits, would house a new segment of pipeline designed to reduce the risk of oil spills and improve long-term operational safety. Enbridge still requires a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy before construction can proceed.
The Line 5 project remains the focus of ongoing litigation, including lawsuits filed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, who have sought to shut down the existing line. Environmental organizations and tribal groups continue to oppose the project, citing concerns over spill risks and ecosystem disruption.
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