Actually, changes in construction projects have occurred in the UK and Ireland. There is a plethora of special entities over there and they have existed through the ages. Damaging a bush or tree that they hang out in is hazardous. The DeLorean factory construction destroyed a special bush. The Hawthorn tree / bush may have special meaning in the UK and Ireland. I can't recall the roadway, but construction was changed so that the road went around a Hawthorn tree. Hawthorn trees are left alone and avoided.
The U.S. does not have the history that the UK has. The U.S. has forms of 'tricksters' and 'little people'. I am not going to touch skinwalkers or dogmen.
Animals on the endangered species list stop construction projects.