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Endangered cacti could increase cost of Iowa road project

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July 14th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials in northwestern Iowa say the discovery of more than 100 endangered cacti could increase the cost of a Sioux City road project. The Sioux City Journal reports that the project for design improvements to Southbridge Drive may now include the relocation of about 116 prickly pear cactus plants. The cactus is a protected plant species in the state.

City Engineer Glenn Ellis told the City Council during a meeting Monday that the relocation and other associated costs could come to an additional $100,000. The City Council voted agreed Monday to have an engineering firm create a new project design.