Homeowner Says North Tarrant Express Project Drove Snakes, Rats to His Neighborhood

Crews on Monday mow area filled with weeds, garbage, snakes and rats

A Hurst neighborhood is resting a bit easier after a long battle with snakes and rats.

People living in the 1400 block of Simpson Drive say construction on Airport Freeway led to an infestation of the unwelcome guests.

Henry Mason, who lives on the corner of Airport Freeway and Simpson Drive, said the grass surrounding his backyard was "nothing but a snake bin."

"Oh my God, it's atrocious," he said.

Mason said he works daily to maintain his property, but that construction crews in the area have failed to maintain the area for which they are responsible. As a result, weeds have grown, garbage has piled up, and snakes and rats are everywhere.

For months, he called City Hall and Texas Department of Transportation officials, he said.

On Monday, NBC 5 contacted TxDOT, which requested an investigation by the North Tarrant Express project.

The NTE Mobility Partners is the developer for the road project.

A TxDOT spokesman told NBC 5 that a complaint was filed late last week, and that the area was placed on a "mow list" for Monday.

Crews showed up to mow the area Monday afternoon.

The TxDOT spokesman acknowledged that there is some confusion surrounding construction sites throughout North Texas when it comes to figuring out who's responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of various areas.

He suggested that people dealing with similar issues call their city hall. Construction teams weekly meet with cities to discuss such issues, he said.

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