Line 3 Replacement Project : Enbridge begins construction on Minnesota stretch

Canadian energy transportation company Enbridge has commenced construction on the Minnesota stretch of its Line 3 Replacement Project following receipt of all the required approvals and permits.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approved a construction stormwater permit, which was the last state level permit needed by the crude oil pipeline replacement project. It follows the last of the federal permits issued recently by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Vern Yu Enbridge – Enbridge Executive Vice President and Liquid Pipelines President said: “This is a historic day for the Line 3 project which will strengthen the safety of the system for years to come. With all of the permits in hand, we can now start construction.

“Safety remains our top priority, and we will be implementing an industry leading COVID management plan to protect our workforce and the communities in which we will be working.”

The Line 3 Replacement Project is the replacement of the Line 3 pipeline in both Canada and the US, which has been operating since 1968. An integral part of Enbridge’s Mainline System, Line 3 stretches nearly 1,765kms from Alberta in Canada to Wisconsin in the US.

Enbridge begins construction on Minnesota stretch of the Line 3 Replacement Project

In December 2019, the Canadian part of the pipeline replacement project was commissioned with an investment of CAD5.3 billion.

The US section of the Line 3 Replacement Project, which costs $2.9 billion, involves the installation of a new 36-inch diameter pipeline in place of the existing 34-inch diameter pipeline along most of the Line 3 route.

In May 2018, the Wisconsin segment of the Line 3 Replacement Project became operational, while the North Dakota section, which spans 21kms, completed construction in October 2020.

In Minnesota, the new pipeline will stretch 542kms.

Once fully operational, the US Line 3 Replacement Project will be able to deliver 760,000 barrels of North American crude oil per day to Minnesota and the neighboring areas in a secure and reliable way.