With state permits confirmed, Line 5 project set to shift into high gear

Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project Manager Christopher Pope talking with team member in front of pipe staged for the project.

The Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project marks a milestone for the region, driving new business opportunities and long-term energy security

Feb. 22, 2026

Northern Wisconsin will soon experience a major economic lift as Enbridge begins early preparations for the Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation Project—now that state permits for the project have been upheld.

The long-planned project will replace a 12‑mile portion of the existing pipeline with a 41-mile segment routed outside the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. With mobilization underway, the region is poised for a surge in business activity.

For Enbridge project manager Christopher Pope, the work represents more than infrastructure investment; it’s a boost for the community. “I am excited to work on the relocation project. This is right in our backyard,” he said. “We’ve envisioned roughly 700 jobs being created with this construction project.”

Those jobs will generate a ripple effect across local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, equipment suppliers, and service providers are preparing for the influx of workers and the steady flow of construction traffic expected in the months ahead. The project’s prime contractor is Wisconsin‑based, and many subcontractors come from nearby communities—keeping more dollars circulating locally.

The most studied pipeline project in Wisconsin’s history

State permits for the project were issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2024 after an extensive and thorough 4-plus-year review determined construction impacts would be temporary and isolated with no significant adverse effects to wetlands or waterbodies. The permits were challenged in a contested case process, with the administrative law judge recently confirming state permits were properly issued.

The relocation represents one of the most thoroughly studied pipeline projects in Wisconsin’s history, shaped by thousands of hours of environmental analysis and engineering reviews. Enbridge leaders say the effort shows.

“We’re very proud of the rigorous planning that went into minimizing our environmental impact,” Pope added.

Preparations now move from planning to job sites—setting the stage for one of the largest energy infrastructure investments Northern Wisconsin has seen in years.

“It will be a boon for the local businesses as contractors come into the community and spend money,” said Pope. “We’re pleased to get to work on this important project.”