(Reuters) - Canadian energy company Enbridge ( ENB ) has retained a joint venture partnership between Barnard Construction Company, Inc. and Civil and Building North America, Inc (CBNA). to construct the Great Lakes Tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Great Lakes Tunnel will link Michigan's peninsulas, providing a secure route for Enbridge's ( ENB ) Line 5 pipeline.

Barnard, based in Bozeman, Montana, and CBNA, based in Miami, Florida, will collaborate with Enbridge ( ENB ) to construct the tunnel for the State of Michigan, the statement said.

The contract was granted after Enbridge ( ENB ) initiated a request for proposal (RFP) process in early 2022. The construction and operation of the Great Lakes Tunnel will be overseen by Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority (MSCA).

Enbridge ( ENB ) will finance the project entirely, and upon its completion, ownership and operation will transfer to the MSCA. The company is preparing to begin construction following the receipt of environmental permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Barnard and CBNA will each retain a 50% partnership under the name Mackinac Straits Partners, according to the statement.

Earlier in the month, Enbridge's ( ENB ) Texas Eastern Transmission subsidiary received approval from U.S. energy regulators to commence service of a natural gas pipeline associated with its Venice extension project in Louisiana.

Last month, The Canada Energy Regulator approved a toll settlement between Enbridge ( ENB ) and shippers for moving oil along the Canadian mainline.