Top Projects of 2025: Wisconsin Reliability Project

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The Wisconsin Reliability Project, completed by Michels Pipeline in partnership with TC Energy, represents a landmark infrastructure upgrade across Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Valued at $700 million total — with Michels responsible for $200 million — the project replaced 51 miles of existing pipeline and upgraded compression facilities at Kewaskum, Weyauwega and Janesville with environmentally friendly hybrid units capable of switching between electric and natural gas power.

Construction activities were performed across multiple active, operating compressor stations simultaneously — a complex brownfield environment requiring extensive front-end planning, constructability reviews, outage coordination and phased execution. Sections of pipeline were installed using horizontal directional drilling, including a 1-mile crossing beneath the Wolf River, minimizing surface disruption.

The project was commissioned and placed in service Nov. 1, 2025. Upon completion, it reduced emissions by 30,000 metric tons of CO2e annually and enabled customers to transition toward renewable energy portfolios, including the planned retirement of coal generation facilities.

The economic impact was substantial. The project supported 4,313 construction jobs, generated $319.9 million in labor income, contributed $1.1 billion in economic output and added $67.9 million in local and state tax revenue — delivering lasting benefits to communities throughout the region.

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