Photo: The Canadian Press

CALGARY — Enbridge Inc.’s Line 3 pipeline replacement is on track to be in service by the end of the year despite ongoing protests and recent court challenges, the Calgary-based company said Friday.

The $9.3-billion project, which is expected to add about 370,000 barrel per day of crude oil export capacity from Western Canada into the U.S., was handed a victory last month by the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which affirmed the approvals granted by independent regulators that allowed construction on the Minnesota leg to begin last December.

However, Indigenous and environmental groups opposed to the project have appealed to the Minnesota Supreme Court, asking it to overturn the lower court’s ruling. The Minnesota Supreme Court has until mid-September to decide whether or not to hear the case.

In a conference call with analysts Friday, Enbridge chief executive Al Monaco said in spite of the recent legal challenges, Line 3 remains on schedule and is now 80% complete.

“Construction-wise, we’re tracking to schedule,” Monaco said. “We’re moving along well and continue to work on water crossings. All that to say, we’re on track for a Q4 in service.”

The Line 3 replacement will carry oil from Alberta to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wis. The Minnesota leg of the project—the last section to be completed—has been met by protests along the route, with more than 500 demonstrators having been arrested or issued citations since December.

Opponents of the project, including Indigenous groups the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa as well as environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Honor the Earth, say the Line 3 expansion will accelerate climate change and also poses a risk of oil spills in environmentally sensitive areas.