Vehicles tied to AI data center construction causing severe road damage in Dickey County

Trucks and equipment associated with the construction of an Applied Digital AI data center in Dickey County, North Dakota, are causing severe damage to local roads, leading to several closures. Kacey Holm of the Dickey County Commission acknowledged the road issues, exacerbated by springtime conditions, but noted that previous repair efforts have been decent. Dickey County has specifically closed 87th Avenue and 95th Street, while the city of Ellendale has closed 96th Street. Charlie Russell, Dickey County's Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator, stated that Applied Digital had secured load limit agreements with the state and worked with the county on road usage. Despite the damage, a collaborative effort involving the county, the city, and Applied Digital, partially funded by a flex fund grant, is set to begin prep work for paving roads in about a month to ensure reliable access. The Dickey County Commission is scheduled to discuss the ongoing issue at an upcoming meeting on Tuesday.