Great Lakes Tunnel: A replacement project and modernization effort
Increasing safety, enhancing performance, improving health
June 8, 2022
Your toothbrush? Replace it every month.
Those favorite running shoes? Time to change them after 400 miles of hitting the track or pounding the pavement.
The average roof? Recommendations are to replace it after approximately 25 years.
Water filter? For optimal use, replace it approximately every three months.
Tires? At a minimum, replace them every six years, regardless of mileage.
Across the country, people replace things in the name of safety, optimal use and reliability, and the same holds true for Enbridge.
For more than 60 years, Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac has served Michigan and the region well by transporting safely every day the light crude oil and natural gas liquids that help shape life.
In Michigan, Line 5 provides more than half the propane used to heat homes and businesses and the natural gas liquids essential to producing more than 6,000 products—from medicines and inhalers to coolers and sunscreen to laptops and phones.
With that in mind, Enbridge is proceeding with plans to replace a section of Line 5 in the Straits.
“The role of Line 5 in energizing the region underscores why Enbridge continues to invest in measures to keep a safe pipeline operating safely while enhancing environmental protections,” said Bob Lehto, Enbridge’s operations manager for the northern Michigan area.
“This region depends on Line 5 to remain at peak performance, and we plan to continue to fulfill our commitment by undertaking a replacement project of our own.”
Tunnel promotes safety, keeps energy flowing
Lehto cites construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel. Funded by Enbridge, this major energy infrastructure project will replace Line 5 within the waterways to house it securely within a concrete tunnel, below the lakebed.
“Placing Line 5 within the Great Lakes Tunnel will eliminate potential for an anchor strike and reduce the chance of a release to virtually zero,” Lehto explained.
“To advance safety, environmental protection and the reliability on which this region counts, it is a replacement and modernization project we are eager to deliver.”
Enbridge is seeking permits from the State of Michigan and the federal government to build this important energy infrastructure project.
