PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. — Construction started Monday on utility work for the upcoming $8 billion AI data center campus near Port Washington, temporarily closing a local county highway and creating detours for nearby neighbors.

The closure is the first of multiple planned shutdowns along Highway LL through the rest of the year, according to the Ozaukee County Highway Department. A small stretch of LL near High Point Beach Lane and the underpass under I-43 is expected to be closed for roughly two weeks.

The construction represents the first visible sign of the $8 billion data center project that has divided the community over the project's economic benefits to the area against lingering environmental concerns.

Pete Zak uses Highway LL to travel from his Belgium-area home to Port Washin

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