HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Citing too many unknowns and the uncertainty with the costs of building the 43rd Avenue bridge, Reno County Commissioners voted to deny a request from the Vitality Team of Reno County to widen the proposed 200-foot structure by two feet to better accommodate bicycles and pedestrians.

The county will build the span over Union Pacific at a cost of more than $1.6 million. The board said that the expense of the structure and the complexity of working with the railroad is just making it too difficult to justify the added expense — which in this case, was around $100,000.

The board did advise Public Works Director Dave McComb to work with the Vitality Team to come up with ways to make the shoulder safer. The board suggested extra signage and striping could make the four-foot shoulder safer.

The 43rd Avenue bridge and three others are on a proposed bond issue for replacement or major renovation.