Construction work on the Dakota Access Pipeline is nearly completed along the North Dakota portion of the project route.
The September construction report from Dakota Access LLC, a partner of Energy Transfer Partners LP, shows that 87 percent of the project has been completed in the state through the end of the month. This was up from 68 percent through the end of August.
September’s report from the company was provided to the Public Service Commission late Wednesday.
More than 90 percent of work in several areas, including grading, pipe stringing and welding, have been completed. Testing of the line and clean up are both at a little over 50 percent.
The 346-mile route through North Dakota passes through seven counties: Mountrail, Williams, McKenzie, Dunn, Mercer, Morton and Emmons.
The 1,172-mile, 30-inch diameter pipeline project is to run through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois with a nearly $3.8 billion cost, with a capacity of 470,000 barrels per day when completed and the ability to be increased to 570,000 daily barrels.
The project has led to a growing protest movement that has converged at a protest camp site in Morton County. Numerous demonstrations have taken place at construction sites in the state, resulting in nearly 100 arrests since August.