A proposal to reuse a bridge McLeod County is replacing near Lester Prairie to span the Crow River in Hutchinson has been scrapped.

City Engineer Kent Exner told the City Council last week the logistics of moving the 140-ton County Road 84 bridge and the cost “kind of rules it out” as a replacement for the former Dakota Rail trestle near Fifth Avenue Southeast.

The bridge’s concrete decking would probably have to be delicately removed to lighten it. Cutting the bridge in sections also would increase the cost. The overall cost might go as high as $207,000, he said. A new pedestrian bridge is estimated to cost about $185,000.

Exner said a study of the wooden trestle late last year indicated it probably is useable for pedestrians, bicyclists and snowmobilers for another 15 to 20 years with ongoing maintenance and inspection. Railings could be added for use as a trail.

The city had asked SEH Inc. to consider whether a couple of middle piers that extended into the water and catch river debris could be removed safely. SEH recommended against that idea.

Read more on the front page of the Leader's April 29 print edition.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com [2].)