Austin’s Iconic Bats Face Displacement Due to I-35 Expansion Project

Heads Up, Austin! Thousands of Bats about to be Displaced!

Hey there, lovely folks of Austin! We’ve got some news that’s giving us the shivers. Our iconic Mexican free-tailed bats, those adorable winged critters that make our city so unique, are in for a rocky ride, thanks to the ongoing expansion of Interstate 35. Yep, you heard that right! The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) just kicked off the multi-million dollar I-35 Capital Express project, which means a lot more than just smoother traffic. It’s about to shift the home of thousands of these delightful bats!

What’s the Buzz?

Last week, TxDOT officially got to work expanding I-35, from State Highway 45 all the way to U.S. Highway 290. Part of this construction includes demolishing the beloved I-35 bridges at Wells Branch Parkway and Howard Lane, two spots that are cozy homes to more than 100,000 bats! It’s a big project, alright, and these furry residents are now facing eviction.

For those of you who may not know, Austin has proudly earned the title of “Bat City.” We boast one of the largest urban bat colonies in the world, especially under the iconic Congress Avenue Bridge, home to over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats! Talk about a local treasure! And yet, as our highways expand, these bats are about to lose their homes.

How are the Bats Being Relocated?

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how TxDOT plans to handle this unsettling situation. Before zapping their homes, the agency is using a process called exclusion. This involves sealing up little bat crevices with expanding foam, making sure no little fliers remain inside once the sun goes down—yikes! But hold on! Some local conservationists aren’t thrilled with this method, expressing concerns that this might seal up bats in the process. Lee Mackenzie from the Austin Bat Refuge chimed in, saying, “We don’t like that they’re using spray foam, but we hope they’re doing their best to stay safe.”

But, there’s a Silver Lining!

Not all is lost, dear friends! TxDOT has a plan to mitigate the loss of bat homes by installing around three dozen artificial roosting spots, affectionately known as bat boxes, beneath a section of I-35 over Walnut Creek. With new and larger bridges set to replace the old ones, the hope is that these marvelous creatures can find their way back eventually. Still, it might take some time for them to discover their new digs. It could take anything from a few months to even a couple of years before the flying friends decide to move in!

Mackenzie points out that while these bat boxes are a start, they may not be the ideal habitat for our city’s beloved bats. “They just can’t build enough to accommodate everyone,” she remarked, highlighting the uphill battle conservationists face. And the journey doesn’t stop there as more bats may need relocation with the planned demolition of the I-35 bridge over McNeil Road in 2028!

The Bright Side to Bat Relocation

Austin’s bat population has become a vital part of our ecosystem—and a fantastic tourist attraction! People flock to see these remarkable creatures take flight at dusk, making it a cherished part of city life. So, even though things are changing, we can hope that, in true Austin spirit, we’ll find a way to coexist with our flying pals. Remember, we’re all about that community vibe, right?

So, as the construction fast-tracks, it’s important for us to keep our eyes peeled for updates on these cute little critters. Who knows? With a little compassion and effort, our bat buddies just might find their way back home!