Work on the Amazon Web Services data center is slated to begin this spring, according to project developer Northpoint Development LLC.

Based upon a recently approved agreement between Montgomery County and Northpoint that was agreed to Jan. 12, the company will be improving several county roads as well as constructing a railroad crossing as part of the project. A copy of the agreement was provided to the Montgomery Standard by Northpoint.

According to the agreement, Northpoint agreed to construct an elevated crossing over the Norfolk Southern Railway line at Ellis Road to replace the current at-grade crossing. The crossing will include a bridge with 12-foot-wide lanes and two-foot-wide shoulders. The crossing is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2028. Northpoint has also agreed to improve Ellis Road from Booneslick Road to Hudson Road to meet county standards. this work is expected to be completed upon operation and completion of the first data center building, which is slated for the middle of 2027.

Northpoint will also improve Hudson Road from Ellis Road to the existing asphalt-to-gravel transition point on the west end of Hudson Road. As with Ellis Road, the roadway will be improved to county standards. The developer also agrees to raise the surface elevation of Hudson Road above the 100-year floodplain, subject to approval by the city of New Florence. This is also anticipated to be completed by the middle of 2027

The developer also agrees to improve Fairview Road from Ellis Road to Highway F. According to the agreement, Northpoint will level areas of the existing gravel road and will maintain compliance with the county’s gravel road standards. Work is anticipated to be completed by the middle of 2027

Booneslick Road will also be improved from Highway F to Ellis Road, subject to approval from the city of High Hill and the Missouri Department of Transportation. This portion of the project is slated to be completed by the middle of 2027

In addition to roadway improvements, Northpoint has agreed to improve several non-signal intersections at Hudson Road and Ellis Road, Ellis Road and Fairview Road and Ellis Road and Booneslick Road. The improvements will be designed to improve the turning radius and provide for a safer flow for vehicles.

Per the agreement, Northpoint will bear all the costs of designing and constructing the improvements. The county will be responsible for paying legal fees and costs for their own attorney and bond counsel as well as fees and costs relating to applications and any applicable regulations, though Northpoint will provide the county with $50,000 for costs. Northpoint also agrees that if the costs for the county exceed the $50,000, they will agree to reimburse the county any additional out-of-pocket expenses in excess of the initial amount provided after receipt of a written request from the county.

As part of the agreement, Northpoint agrees to use reasonable efforts to use in-state workers and/or union labor in the construction of the project and in the listed public road improvements.

The agreement also includes public utility improvements that will include construction of a well field system on the site, which will consist of potable water wells, non-potable water wells and monitoring wells. They will also construct a water treatment system and wastewater treatment system, according to plans and specifications approved by the Montgomery County Water District. All costs for the improvements shall be the responsibility of Northpoint. Once completed, the improvements would be turned over to the water district.

The agreement also includes a provision that within 60 days of the issuance of the Chapter 100 bonds for the project, Northpoint agrees to pay $3 million as a community contribution to be used by the county for any needs.

According to Northpoint Executive Vice President Jennifer George, the agreement with the county was effectively the last approval action by the county commission to be able to move the project forward. She said construction permits still need to be issued by the county. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has issued a land distubance permit for the project. George said Northpoint is mobilizing equipment to the site to begin work on the project this spring.