PORT ARANSAS, Texas — A rare manatee sighting briefly halted construction at the Texas Department of Transportation’s Port Aransas ferry project, with the agency citing its commitment to both safety and environmental stewardship.

Protecting people and wildlife

TxDOT said its top priority is the safety of the public, contractors, and employees, but that protecting wildlife is also part of its mission.

The agency said has built dozens of wildlife crossings along highways to safeguard ocelots and other animals, and added “bat houses” under bridges to provide safe roosting spaces for nocturnal insect-eaters.

“The safety of the public, our contractors, and TxDOT employees is always our top priority,” said Mike Walsh, TxDOT district engineer in Corpus Christi. “But protecting wildlife n

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