New Highway Design Accommodates Endangered Spider

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A San Antonio highway project stalled for two years after discovery of an endangered spider is about to start moving forward again with a new design.

An underpass originally planned is being replaced with an overpass to accommodate the spider known as the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver.

The San Antonio Express-News reports (http://bit.ly/1rRFOxO) the price tag for the overpass will balloon to $44 million, nearly three times the original cost.

The eyeless spider is about the size of a dime. It was placed on the endangered list in 2000.

It was feared the original underpass would threaten cave habitats of the spider. Overpasses require less excavation but cost more.

A Texas Department of Transportation district engineer says work on the project on San Antonio's west side could begin next spring.

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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com