Enbridge has announced that it has partnered with two renowned tunnelling companies, Barnard Construction Company, Inc. and Civil and Building North America, Inc., to oversee the construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. This partnership between Barnard, based in Bozeman, Montana, and CBNA, based in Miami, Florida, will work closely with Enbridge to build the tunnel on behalf of the State of Michigan.
The Great Lakes Tunnel is being designed as a utility corridor that will connect Michigan’s peninsulas. Its primary purpose is to house the Line 5 pipeline, which will pass beneath the lakebed at the Straits of Mackinac. This infrastructure project aims to protect the Great Lakes and the environment while ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of vital energy resources to the region.
Enbridge’s senior vice president of liquids pipelines, Tom Schwartz, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Barnard and CBNA, stating that their selection represents a significant milestone for the project. He emphasised Enbridge’s commitment to the safe construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel and praised the expertise of both companies.
The contract was awarded to Barnard and CBNA following a rigorous request for proposal (RFP) process initiated by Enbridge in early 2022. The Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority (MSCA), responsible for overseeing the tunnel’s construction and operations, confirmed that the RFP satisfied the requirements of the Tunnel Agreement. Enbridge will finance the Great Lakes Tunnel, and upon completion, it will be owned and operated by the MSCA.
Barnard and CBNA will form a joint partnership named Mackinac Straits Partners, with each company holding a 50 percent stake. Both organisations possess extensive experience in tunnel construction, having collectively built over 100 tunnels in 15 countries, totaling more than 372 miles. Many of these projects have involved similar geologic conditions to those present in the Straits of Mackinac.
Enbridge is actively preparing to commence construction as soon as it receives the necessary environmental permits for the tunnel project from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps has indicated that permit decisions will likely be made in early 2026.
Throughout the progress of this significant energy modernisation infrastructure project, Enbridge remains committed to its plan of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The company is investing in renewable energy sources, modernising its networks, and prioritising the safe transportation and delivery of energy resources.
For more information visit www.enbridge.com
