U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues finalized permit for Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project; construction to begin immediately

February 24, 2026

The finalized permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allows construction to move forward on the most studied pipeline project in Wisconsin’s history. Construction activities will begin today.

The Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project will be built by a Wisconsin contractor, subcontractors, and a trained union workforce involving more than 700 family-supporting union construction jobs. The project is expected to bring millions of dollars in construction-related spending to Ashland, Bayfield and Iron counties, and the state of Wisconsin.

State permits were issued in 2024 when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed any project construction impacts will be temporary and isolated, have no measurable effect on water quality, and would not violate water quality standards.

State permits were upheld in a contested case process decision earlier this month.

Enbridge submitted permit applications to state and federal regulators in early 2020 for the relocation project, which will build a new 41-mile segment of pipeline around the Bad River Reservation. Line 5 is critical energy infrastructure—serving 10 refineries and propane production facilities, and providing raw materials to meet the energy needs of millions of people in the Midwest and Great Lakes Region.