Last week, the Mesabi Daily News in Minnesota published an article which highlighted the opportunities created for union workers by pipeline projects like Dakota Access. The thousands of miles of pipe to be laid, and tight construction schedule constrained by Midwestern Winters, require thousands of workers to turn out to ensure the pipe gets into the ground on schedule.

But the jobs benefits of pipelines aren’t just during the construction stage. There is an entire operation behind procuring the materials for the pipeline, including the physical pipe itself, transportation of materials, heavy machinery and equipment, all down to the last nut and bolt.