Enbridge launches 1.5-mile Line 5 pipeline reroute around Wisconsin reservation
Enbridge has started a 1.5-mile rerouting of its Line 5 pipeline around the Menominee reservation in Wisconsin after a 2023 federal appeals court invalidated its easement. Construction is slated to finish by late 2026, ending a decade-long legal dispute that stalled throughput on the energy conduit.
1. Appeals Court Revokes Wisconsin Easement
In 2023 a federal appeals court ruled that Enbridge’s existing easement to run Line 5 across the Menominee reservation was invalid, halting operations on that segment and prompting legal challenges.
2. Reroute Construction Underway
In February 2026, Enbridge mobilized crews to install a 1.5-mile bypass around the reservation boundary, using horizontal directional drilling to minimize disruption to the tribe’s land.
3. Timeline and Budget
The rerouting project carries an estimated $100 million price tag and is on track for completion by late 2026, funded within the original Line 5 capital program.
4. Operational and Financial Implications
Upon completion, the reroute will restore full capacity on the Lakehead system’s Line 5 segment, remove regulatory overhang and secure stable cash flows from crude transport fees.