IDAHO Bridge Construction

Environmental impact will be a complicated issue as to construct the bridge

ST. ANTHONY - Environmental concerns for an endangered aquatic snail could hold up construction of a long-awaited bridge on a major farm-to-market route in Idaho.

The Utah Valvata snail is on the U.S. endangered species list, and county officials have been waiting to see if the mollusk would

further delay reconstruction of the Salem Highway bridge over the Snake River.

The Idaho Transportation Department had scheduled work on the bridge for this summer, but the chance the snail may be living near the bridge could delay the work.

The highway is a major farm-to-market route north of Idaho City, and is used by traffic heading in and out of Rexburg, Idaho.