Construction Traffic Draws Complaints as Data Center Projects Advance
Saline Township residents are complaining about speeding construction traffic and other impacts tied to the Oracle and OpenAI data center being built along U.S. 12. The article also covers opposition and funding uncertainty surrounding a University of Michigan computing facility, proposed data center rules in Lyndon Township, and approval of Google's site plan in Van Buren Township.
Residents of Saline Township told officials that construction traffic associated with the Oracle and OpenAI data center has created safety problems on U.S. 12, Willow Road and nearby rural roads. Township officials are coordinating with Related Digital, the Michigan Department of Transportation and contractor Walbridge on a temporary traffic signal, road improvements and increased patrols. Noise, lighting, groundwater monitoring and a proposed treated-wastewater discharge into the Saline River also remain under review.
The roundup reports continued funding uncertainty and local opposition to the University of Michigan's proposed $1.25 billion research computing facility in Ypsilanti Township after Los Alamos National Laboratory failed to commit an anticipated $300 million contribution. Lyndon Township is considering permanent data center zoning rules after adopting a temporary moratorium, while Van Buren Township's planning commission approved Google's 1.5-million-square-foot campus in Wayne County despite resident concerns about noise, water use, environmental effects and property values.