An eyeless spider in Bexar County is costing taxpayers $44 million.

On the northwest side of San Antonio, construction of a badly needed intersection of two roadways was halted two years ago by the Texas Department of Transportation on the discovery of the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver, as the spider is known.

The project has sat idle while state and federal officials decided what to do about it. Their solution, of course, involve lots of money. Your money.

Originally designed as an underpass, the new interchange will be built as an overpass — at three times the original price tag, according to media reports and TxDOT officials. Put another way, taxpayers could have built three such interchanges for the price of this one, all because of an eyeless spider.

Maybe someone should have just bought a can of bug spray…

Michael Quinn Sullivan

Michael Quinn Sullivan is the publisher of Texas Scorecard. He is a native Texan, a graduate of Texas A&M, and an Eagle Scout. Previously, he has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine contributor, Capitol Hill staffer, and think tank vice president. Michael and his wife have three adult children, a son-in-law, and a dog. Michael is the author of three books, including "Reflections on Life and Liberty."

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