Eagles Delay Longmont-Area Bridge Construction

LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) — Nesting bald eagles have prompted the delay of a bridge rebuilding project near Longmont while local officials try to comply with federal regulations protecting endangered species.

Boulder County Transportation director George Gerstle said Thursday it may be August or September before the eggs are hatched and construction can begin.

Boulder County says it is complying with the U.S. Endangered Species Act requirements for such projects in order to ensure that the Federal Highway Administration will reimburse Boulder County for most or all of the estimated $4 million it's expected to cost to design and build a new bridge over the St. Vrain River.

The previous bridge was washed out in last September's floods.