HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a complete renovation of the 4th Avenue bridge last year, the City of Hutchinson is getting ready to undertake a much larger span next year.
The Hutchinson City Council will be asked to approve the engineering study from H.W. Lochner for the Airport Road 
bridge over the BNSF Railway yard. The four-lane span is showing signs of ware with rebar showing through the bridge railing in several areas, and pot holes in the bridge deck. The span is also a pin and hanger structure which must be check and inspected due to a design flaw that has plagued similar type bridges. No cost of the renovation has been given at this time. The city plans to do the work next year.
Also Tuesday, the Council will seek approval for a contract with Bryant and Bryant for the extension of the bike trail from the north end of Severance all the way to 43rd. The new trail would connect with Plum Creek Elementary School. The project will include a box culvert across the GVI ditch and a paved trail from the end of Severance Street. The cost of the project is just over $454,000.
Tuesday’s Hutchinson City Council meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the city offices.