Work on the Singleton Bypass has been slowed down due to the discovery of a legless lizard.
Workers initially thought it was a snake discovered on a concrete path within the site compound at Whittingham last month.
The reptile was later identified by the environment team on the project as the endangered the Hunter Valley Legless Lizard (Hunter Valley Delma (Delma vescolineata).
A Transport for New South Wales spokesperson said while an assessment of significance and management planning were carried out over December and January, there was some reduction in construction activity.
They said the discovery of endangered species during construction of the Singleton Bypass will not affect the opening date.
“Measures to minimise the impact of construction activities have now been put in place including the installation of exclusion fencing and monitoring of habitat.”
The rare reptile was previously discovered at the Mount Pleasant Coal Mine site near Muswellbrook.
