Rare Spider Halts Texas Road Project

By: The Associated Press Email

Updated: Wed 9:28 AM, Oct 03, 2012

SAN ANTONIO - A $15 million San Antonio highway underpass project under construction since spring will have to be scrapped and completely redesigned after a rare spider was found on the construction site.

The Braken Bat Cave meshweaver was found about a month ago at the Texas 151-Loop 1604 intersection in northwestern San Antonio. The spider is listed on the federal endangered species list and was found after rain exposed a 6-feet-deep natural hole on a median.

Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Donat says the state, after consulting with federal wildlife and transportation officials, has scrapped the idea of an underpass. He says the contractor has been released and an overpass design will be needed to avoid disturbing the habitat.

The new design will need federal approval since the habitat is protected.

House OKs Major Changes to State Cancer Institute

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html

Rare Spider Halts Texas Road Project

AP Video