Analysis on Line 5 project identifies short and long term risks
On Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District published its initial analysis for the project that would seek to build an underground tunnel for the aging Enbridge oil pipeline that runs along the Straits of Mackinac. The federal review took over a year longer to publish than expected.
Enbridge Energy wants to build a tunnel to hold a portion of its 70-year-old oil pipeline that sits at the bottom of the straits connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The project was proposed in 2018 at $500 million but has been bogged down by legal challenges.
The four-mile pipeline currently moves about 23 million gallons of oil and natural gas liquids daily between Superior, Wisconsin, and Sarnia, Ontario.
According to the report, building the tunnel would reduce the risk of things like boat anchors rupturing the pipeline, which could cause a potentially disastrous oil spill.
In the short term, the report says construction lights and cranes would significantly impact views and disrupt recreational areas like the dark sky park.
In the long run, the a loss of vegetation along both sides of the straits and the loss of hundreds of trees along the shoreline that contain numerous species of bats.
Included in the analysis is a pledge from Enbridge saying they're determined to comply with all safety standards and replant vegetation where possible and contain erosion.
The report is just an initial assessment. A final analysis is expected by autumn, with a permitting decision to follow.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District is conducting a 30-day public comment period on the project that lasts from May 30 to June 30. Anyone is welcome to provide comments or concerns using these methods:
The .
Virtual public meetings:
Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on or via audio: +1 646 558 8656
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or via audio: +1 301 715 8592
Written comments (postmarked by June 30, 2025) mailed to: Line 5 Tunnel EIS 6501 Shady Grove Road, P.O. Box 10178 Gaithersburg, MD 20898
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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