Must-see attraction reopens in St. Ignace
Great Lakes Tunnel Information Center relaunch includes naming contest for massive project
May 14, 2025
There is a new, must-see spot in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
It’s located in downtown St. Ignace.
It’s an educational place for young and old alike.
Enbridge’s Great Lakes Tunnel Information Center held its grand reopening May 7. More than 175 people gathered to see firsthand what’s behind the next technological advancement in Michigan’s energy delivery.
The refreshed and expanded center now features a working model of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) that will perform the drilling for our Great Lakes Tunnel Project under the Straits of Mackinac. Situated in a long, darkened room that itself simulates a tunnel, the 22-foot TBM model includes cutterheads that slowly rotate, giving visitors an idea of how the tunnel will be excavated.
“We really feel it’s kind of the next evolution of safe energy transportation here in the Straits of Mackinac,” said Enbridge Community Engagement Manager Paul Meneghini.
The actual TBM, about 600 feet long with an internal diameter of 21 feet, will be built to address the specific geological conditions of the Straits. While boring deep under the Straits, the TBM will remove excavated rock and debris by means of a conveyor belt, while also creating a thick-walled concrete tunnel to house a new segment of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline.
The pipe itself will be installed on rollers bolted to the side of the tunnel, leaving room for regular inspections. The tunnel could also used to house fiber-optic cables or other equipment to boost internet connection and emergency communications in the U.P.
“Along with energy reliability, enhanced environmental safeguards and jobs, Enbridge anticipates the tunnel project will elicit some creativity across the region when it comes to the naming contest we’re holding. We’re inviting the community to participate."
—Paul Meneghini, Enbridge manager of community engagement in Michigan
Enhancing safety is really the key. Placed at least 100 feet below the lakebed of the Straits, the tunnel will eliminate the chance of an anchor strike to Line 5, virtually eliminating the risk of a spill into the Straits and enable the region to continue to receive the benefits of Line 5.
“The tunnel technology has been applied successfully across the United States and elsewhere. We are fortunate that we are able to leverage the global expertise of the Mackinac Straits Partners to be able to build Michigan’s Great Lakes Tunnel,” said Meneghini.
Tunnels are being built and considered around the globe—linking Africa to Europe, traveling under the streets of Las Vegas, running below the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The technology is safe and proven, making these engineering marvels possible.
Contractor has built more than 100 tunnels worldwide
Collectively, Mackinac Straits Partners has constructed more than 100 tunnels that span a total of 372 miles. Within the United States, its team has worked on projects in Rhode Island, Washington, D.C. and California.
“For more than a year, we have been doing pre-construction work for the Great Lakes Tunnel,” said Jordan Hoover, Mackinac Straits Partners project manager.
“Once final permits are received and we have the green light to construct, we’ll be ready to go.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) expects to release on May 30 the long-awaited draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). That will begin a 30-day public comment period, with a final USACE decision anticipated in the fall.
Naming contest has started
With the final permits potentially on the horizon, Enbridge is eager to uphold a time-honored tradition before beginning construction.
“Tunnel Boring Machines traditionally are named after women in honor of St. Barbara, the patron saint of architects, builders and miners,” explained Meneghini.
“Prior to beginning construction, Enbridge is honoring that tradition by sponsoring a contest to name this Tunnel Boring Machine.”
A full-scale model of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is on display. The front part of a TBM (in blue and yellow) is called the cutterhead. It's a rotating wheel with cutting tools (like disc cutters or other tools) that break up the ground as the TBM advances. The cutterhead is the part that digs the tunnel.
According to tradition, the name should honor a local female from any period in history who lived in or made contributions to the Straits.
Participants may submit entries between now and June 7 either via email at Line5Info@Enbridge.com or in person at the Great Lakes Tunnel Informational Center, 214 N. State St. in St. Ignace.
In the meantime, put the center on your place-to-visit list this summer.
It’s worth your time.
Both families and kids alike will surely enjoy learning more about the tunnel and the efforts to protect the precious waters of the Great Lakes, the environment and the people who use them.
