Enbridge Line 5 Construction

Enbridge is starting the survey of Mackinac lake bottom next spring. The survey should provide the rock composition located hundred feet beneath.

It is the next step toward the proposed line 5 tunnel, the lake-bottom is currently under review by state and federal authority for permit approval.

The tunnel would start line 5 Mackinaw Station located west of Mackinaw City, it will run under the Straits parallel of the existing Line 5.

After Gov. Rick Snyder announced plans to house Line 5 in a tunnel beneath the Straits, Enbridge started to acquired properties in and around the south shore work area, according to Emmet county property records.

The company has accumulated 5 properties in the amount of $1,15 million.

Tri-State is the holdings company that has been purchasing the lands, it is also connected with Enbridge.

Enbridge is looking at drilling to start in 2019. The survey of the lands could provide an idea of the underground landscape along the proposed tunnel alignment.

The proposed tunnel will replace the aging 65-year old Line 5, it is a wise decision to move forward with the project for the safety while preserving the pipeline connection.

The project cost of the tunnel is estimated between $350 to $500 million.

The tunnel could be in operation between 2025 and 2028, with the decommission of the existing Line 5.

Enbridge is planning to hand the ownership of the tunnel to Mackinac Bridge Authority, the independent state agency would lease space to Enbridge new line 5 and other utilities companies. The agreement between Enbridge and the bridge needs to be finalized, details are still needing to be clarified like construction, maintenance and malfunction.

Line 5 pipeline was built-in 1953, the pipeline is 645 miles that runs from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia Canada. It transports up to 540,000 barrels of light crude oil and natural gas liquids per day.