Rare Snake Found Near Proposed Bridge Project, DNR Says

RACINE, WI — A rare and endangered snake population was found near a proposed bridge replacement project in Racine, state officials said.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants to replace the existing historic structure at the West 6th Street Bridge in Racine, and upgrade the road that approaches on either side to match the new structure.

Officials say the DOT project may result in the "incidental taking" of a rare snake under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources proposes to issue for the project.

The presence of the state endangered Queensnake has been confirmed in the vicinity of the project site, DNR staff said. DNR staff also determined that the proposed project may result in the incidental taking of some snakes, according to a news release.

Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the overall population of the species at risk.

The existing structure has two-spans that cross Horlick Park Drive and the Root River. The bridge is eligible for the National Register as a distinctive and intact example of an open-spandrel concrete arch bridge.

The proposed replacement structure will be a two-span bridge with aesthetic enhancements to commemorate the historic nature of the existing bridge. Horlick Park Drive will be reconstructed under the new bridge.

In a news release, department staff said that the proposed project will minimize the impact to the snakes by adhering to conservation measures. Officials said the project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state population of the species.

The conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the endangered species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization, officials said.