[{"_1":2,"_75":-5,"_76":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6510593,"mediaKeyId","5365509-60ea6b6f032cb4a10c2ca4a44391982f","parentId",5365509,"title","Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority approves oversight contracts and specification changes as federal and state permits remain pending","audioSeconds",5854,"startMs",476000,"endMs",6330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5365509-60ea6b6f032cb4a10c2ca4a44391982f&start=476&end=6330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5365509-60ea6b6f032cb4a10c2ca4a44391982f/thumbnail_476000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510593/Michigan/Mackinac-Straits-Corridor-Authority-approves-oversight-contracts-and-specification-changes-as-federal-and-state-permits-remain-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510593-706dca9a1891affea196d5b4c49004f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770939369&Signature=gvAIyC5x8hQ-BYVmdA~dJkycjwukVp7wIam8j9oSYANPyJOAXMh9FVTrnsSwNHgxZW5O1H8fJw3MSZETarftEuxNHGwczBYq7MYIIyOWnZslG2lTBw~rl6wxKGLq5cBcVHwZQgWZ0Ib~6Yu90MOQmRN2JBpL5vdQOjIJqKTwoxanE2WJ9l7ttGaMnqtfNyLvjl2li~lyuTiU8CFi428uomUTfBfPG93Zm35ueIcah0oNbI3TxP7PbTz2zHNb7pbpUE8CbvtG9zus~mIiTchAVKrpeGIe2M9ZB1VOwTh14VEW0FihtJthIAKOXobbbqnlfHrvVOORDkcDhbLktnE4pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-11T17:40:56.607Z","article","Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority members on July 11 approved a set of consultant contracts, launched a procurement for an owner’s representative and accepted a package of technical changes to the project specifications while key federal and state permits for the tunnel and Line 5 relocation remain under review.

The authority was repeatedly told by staff and Enbridge representatives that construction cannot begin until outstanding authorizations are issued. Devon Sullivan, special assistant attorney general, said the matter involving the Michigan Public Service Commission is \"fully briefed and awaiting action from the Supreme Court.\" Michael Belligan, a NEPA specialist at the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a draft environmental impact statement on May 30 and that the Corps expects to complete a final EIS by mid– to late fall, with a record of decision 30 days afterward. Enbridge said it has reapplied to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and anticipated that EGLE could deem the new application administratively complete and start a public-notice period in July.

Why it matters: the authority’s procurement and oversight role becomes active only if permits are issued. Enbridge representatives and staff repeatedly told the board that the timing of the Army Corps and EGLE actions will determine when the company may order the tunnel-boring machine and begin construction. Enbridge said procurement of a TBM typically takes about 18 months after ordering.

Permitting and schedule
- Michigan Public Service Commission: Sullivan told the board the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the MPSC’s Dec. 1, 2023 order and Enbridge has filed for leave to the Michigan Supreme Court; the application is fully briefed and awaiting the court’s action. No decision date was given.
- Army Corps of Engineers: MDOT’s NEPA specialist provided permit-review number LRE2100046356A19 and said the Corps’ draft EIS public comment period closed June 30; staff expect a final EIS by mid to late fall and a record of decision roughly 30 days after that if the Corps issues a permit.
- EGLE: staff and Enbridge said Enbridge refiled Part 303/325 (wetlands/Great Lakes submerged lands) and NPDES permit applications; EGLE has characterized part of the permit submission as administratively incomplete and Enbridge told the board it expected a final deficiency request to be resolved and the public-notice period to begin in the next week or two. EGLE has a statutory 150‑day review period that can be extended; the existing Part 303/325 permit issued in February 2021 expires in February 2026 and the NPDES permit was extended pending reissuance (the prior NPDES reissuance was due to expire in October 2025).

Enbridge and construction updates
- Anna Mooney, government relations for Enbridge, said the company expects EGLE to begin public notice in July and noted EGLE’s statutory time frames. She said the company has been preparing the risk management plan required by the MPSC and that it must be complete before construction begins. Mooney said the procurement of the TBM will follow permit certainty; she estimated 18 months as the likely lead time between ordering a TBM and delivery to site, subject to shipping constraints.
- Enbridge also reported ongoing integration of the contractor team (Mackinac Straits Partners) and said the company has an information center and a scale model of the TBM open to the public in downtown Saint Ignace.

Budget and oversight funding
- Talia Belell, an MDOT engineer assigned to the project, summarized the authority’s project advisor budget. She reported an original appropriation of roughly $4.5 million established in 2018, with incurred costs and obligations leaving approximately $1.9 million remaining in the authority’s appropriation after items in the packet. \"We do not think that we do have enough funds, that were allocated to the project to continue to project completion,\" she told the board.
- The board asked staff to prepare an evaluation and recommendation for a supplemental appropriation and to present numbers at the authority’s October meeting so the board can consider a request for additional funds to fulfill its statutory oversight obligations.

Contracts and procurement actions (board approvals)
- Independent quality-assurance (IQA) services: the authority approved execution of a contract with Delve Underground (formerly McMillan Jacobs) for IQA preconstruction work with a not-to-exceed budget of $950,000 and a limited notice to proceed for preconstruction activities; the contract will be funded by Enbridge per the agreement described in meeting materials.
- Termination/retention changes: the authority approved termination of Delve Underground’s prior advisory role on tunnel design specifications (to avoid conflict with its IQA role); that termination frees roughly $22,000 in the authority’s budget.
- Pipeline advisory services: the board approved a contract with Craig Brownlee for pipeline advisory services at $226,000.
- Special counsel: the authority approved an extension of the special assistant attorney general contract for Devon Sullivan’s services.
- Owner’s representative procurement: the board authorized initiation of a qualifications-based procurement (RFP) for an owner’s representative to provide a dedicated project-management team (project manager, deputy project manager, tunnel engineer, public engagement specialist, document-control specialist and tribal liaison, among others). Staff told the board the selection and contract likely will be phased; the board approved refining the scope into phases (preconstruction and later construction phases) and directed staff to return recommendations and budget estimates to the board, acknowledging the current appropriation constraint.

Specification changes and process for future revisions
- Dr. Mike Mooney, the authority’s tunnel consultant and chair of the joint specifications committee, summarized a set of proposed changes to the tunnel’s joint technical specifications prepared by Arup and reviewed with Enbridge and the authority’s consulting team. The committee recommended acceptance of the changes; the board approved the modifications.
- Key technical changes accepted by the authority (summarized): conversion to a universal six-segment precast concrete tunnel lining (PCTL) ring geometry removing the previously specified small keystone and the need for a key‑restraint system; increase in certain segment thicknesses from 15 inches to 17.5 inches (eliminating the need for temporary thrust distribution plates during boring in the deeper sections); an adjustment of the Type A segment specified compressive strength (from 8,000 psi to 7,250 psi) tied to the increased thickness; addition of testing and acceptance requirements for a specialized grout socket to withstand high annular and groundwater pressures (contract testing at pressures specified in the memo); addition of an alternate permitted cement type (Portland-limestone-slag blends) and certain chemical admixtures to account for local materials; clarification of concrete handling and testing standards including the addition of ASTM C496 split-tensile testing in combination with newly published/draft ASTM methods; and a change in freeze–thaw exposure classification for deep (Type B) segments to reflect in-tunnel temperatures.
- The authority also approved a memorandum of understanding with Enbridge that documents the joint process for proposing and reviewing specification changes and a delegation of authority that lets the technical working group approve nonmaterial changes; the board retained approval authority for material changes or disputes about materiality.

Public comment
Local residents, officials and business owners who addressed the authority at the meeting expressed support for the tunnel project and praised Enbridge’s local engagement and safety practices. Speakers included municipal officials and community-business owners who cited economic and safety reasons for relocating the Line 5 pipeline into a tunnel beneath the Straits.

What the authority recorded as formal action
The board recorded motions and approvals to:
- approve the meeting agenda and minutes for the prior meeting (clerical corrections noted in the record);
- execute the Delve Underground IQA contract (preconstruction, $950,000 budget, NTP for preconstruction);
- terminate Delve Underground’s prior advisory contract (freeing ~$22,000);
- approve Craig Brownlee pipeline advisory services contract ($226,000);
- extend the special assistant attorney general contract for Devon Sullivan;
- initiate procurement (RFP) for an owner’s representative with phased scope and return budget recommendations to the board;
- approve the set of technical specification modifications recommended by the joint specifications committee; and
- approve a memorandum of understanding and a delegation of authority for nonmaterial specification changes.

Next steps and timing
Staff said they will return to the board at the October meeting with proposed supplemental appropriation amounts tied to a phased owner’s-representative procurement and with additional budget details once the procurement and market engagement refine cost estimates. Permitting timelines provided at the meeting suggest the Army Corps’ final EIS and related record of decision could arrive in the fall; EGLE’s timetable will depend on the date it deems applications complete and opens public notice. Enbridge reiterated that it cannot begin construction until required permits and the MPSC risk-management plan are complete.

The authority adjourned after roughly two hours of business and public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority Meeting July 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority members on July 11 approved a set of consultant contracts, launched a procurement for an owner’s representative and accepted technical revisions to tunnel construction specifications while key federal and state permits remain under review.","taxTitle","Mackinac Bridge Authority, Boards and Commissions, Organizations\t\t\t\t\t, Executive, Michigan","taxId",55195,"location","Michigan","headline","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority approves oversight contracts and specification changes as federal and state permits remain pending