The Great Lakes Tunnel Project is a proposed plan to build a tunnel deep under the Straits of Mackinac, a narrow waterway that connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, to house a replacement segment of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline. Line 5 is a 645-mile-long pipeline that carries light crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, passing through Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Why is the tunnel project needed?
According to Enbridge, the Canadian energy company that owns and operates Line 5, the tunnel project is an extra layer of safety that will virtually eliminate the chance of a pipeline incident in the Straits, where Line 5 currently lies on the lakebed. Enbridge claims that Line 5 has operated safely and reliably in the Straits for more than 65 years, but the tunnel project will further protect the environment and the Great Lakes from any potential spill.
The tunnel project is also a response to the legal and political challenges that Line 5 has faced in recent years. In November 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered Enbridge to shut down Line 5 by May 2021, citing the risk of a catastrophic oil spill and the violation of the 1953 easement that allowed Enbridge to operate the pipeline in the Straits. Enbridge challenged the order in court, arguing that only the federal government has the authority to regulate interstate pipelines. The case is still pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Enbridge also argues that Line 5 is essential for the energy security and economic well-being of Michigan and the region, as it supplies about 65% of the propane used in the Upper Peninsula and 55% of Michigan’s statewide propane needs. Line 5 also supports thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario.
How will the tunnel project be built?
The tunnel project is a $500-million private investment by Enbridge in Michigan, which was approved by former Governor Rick Snyder in 2018. The project involves building a four-mile-long, 20-foot-wide tunnel through bedrock, as much as 100 feet below the lakebed, using a tunnel boring machine. The tunnel will house a new 30-inch-diameter pipeline that will replace the existing 20-inch-diameter pipelines that run along the bottom of the Straits. The tunnel will also have secondary containment systems and remote monitoring and inspection capabilities.
The tunnel project will be built by Michigan labor, and harness the knowledge and experience of industry-leading tunnel engineers. Enbridge has contracted with Great Lakes Tunnel Constructors, a joint venture between Jay Dee Contractors of Livonia, Michigan, and Obayashi Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, to design and build the tunnel. Enbridge has also partnered with the Native American-owned Seven Generations Architecture and Engineering of Kalamazoo, Michigan, to provide surveying and engineering support services for the project.
What is the current status of the tunnel project?
The tunnel project is still in the planning and permitting stages, and has not yet begun construction. Enbridge anticipates beginning construction of the tunnel in 2024, pending receipt of necessary permits and approvals from various federal, state, and local agencies. The construction is expected to take about five years to complete, meaning that the tunnel could be operational by 2029 or later.
However, the tunnel project faces several uncertainties and challenges, including the ongoing litigation over Line 5, the opposition from environmental groups and some Native American tribes, and the potential delays from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps is the lead federal agency responsible for reviewing and approving the tunnel project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires a thorough environmental impact statement (EIS) to assess the potential effects of the project on the environment and the public. The Army Corps announced in March 2021 that it would take more than a year longer than originally planned to complete the EIS.
What are the pros and cons of the tunnel project?
The tunnel project has generated a lot of debate and controversy among various stakeholders, who have different views on the costs and benefits of the project. Here are some of the main arguments for and against the tunnel project:
For:
- The tunnel project will enhance the safety and reliability of Line 5, and reduce the risk of a pipeline spill in the Straits to near zero.
- The tunnel project will ensure the continued supply of affordable and reliable energy for Michigan and the region, especially for the rural and low-income communities that depend on propane for heating and cooking.
- The tunnel project will create jobs and economic opportunities for Michigan workers and businesses, and generate tax revenue for the state and local governments.
- The tunnel project will be built with no cost to taxpayers, as Enbridge will pay for the entire project and assume all liability and maintenance costs.
Against:
- The tunnel project will prolong the life of Line 5 and perpetuate the dependence on fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and air pollution.
- The tunnel project will not eliminate the risk of a pipeline spill in other parts of Line 5, which crosses 400 waterways and wetlands in Michigan, including the ecologically sensitive Mackinac and Cheboygan Rivers.
- The tunnel project will divert resources and attention from developing clean and renewable energy alternatives, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, that can meet the energy needs of Michigan and the region without harming the environment or the public health.
You can learn more about the tunnel project and the Line 5 pipeline by visiting the websites of Enbridge12, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Enbridge offers diverse work opportunities and a commitment to innovation, like boring a tunnel 100 feet below a lake bed. Check out their careers page for details. https://www.enbridge.com/work-with-enbridge/careers