Enbridge Advances 41-Mile Line 5 Reroute in Wisconsin

Enbridge says more than 500 workers are active on its 41-mile Line 5 reroute project in northern Wisconsin as legal challenges from the Bad River Band and environmental groups continue.

(P&GJ) — More than 500 workers are currently involved in construction activities on Enbridge's Line 5 reroute project in northern Wisconsin, despite ongoing legal challenges surrounding the pipeline, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

The company is constructing a new 41-mile segment of Line 5 around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation after a federal court ordered Enbridge to reroute or remove the pipeline from tribal lands. Work underway includes clearing the right-of-way, building temporary access roads and preparing for drilling operations, as reported by Wisconsin Public Radio.

Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner told the outlet that construction crews, along with environmental, safety, inspection and cultural resource personnel, have been deployed to the project area. The company said local businesses and contractors are also benefiting from construction activity.

The roughly $450 million project would reroute Line 5 around the reservation and includes crossings of numerous waterways and wetlands. Tribal leaders and environmental groups continue to challenge state and federal permits tied to the project, arguing the development could affect sensitive ecosystems and water resources.

According to Wisconsin Public Radio, the Bad River Band and environmental organizations are pursuing legal action in state and federal courts in an effort to halt or limit construction. Earlier this year, a Wisconsin judge allowed most work to continue but restricted construction activities at several water crossings pending additional approvals.

Enbridge began major construction activities after receiving a final permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in February. The tribe has separately challenged that federal permit.

The project remains one of the most closely watched pipeline developments in the Midwest. Enbridge has said Line 5 is a critical energy corridor serving refineries and propane markets across the region, while opponents continue to cite environmental concerns and the company's history of pipeline spills.

A federal appeals court has yet to rule on a broader dispute over the future of Line 5 on tribal lands. In the meantime, construction on the reroute continues.