Historic preservationists are fighting a plan to widen U.S. 50 in western Kansas, which would require demolishing a longtime landmark near Dodge City.

State transportation officials say the four-lane expansion from Dodge City to Cimarron would likely require leveling the “Points of Rock” monument, a steel sculpture of several horsemen sitting on top of a rock outcropping, with the words “Dodge City.”

The plans include a 60-foot-wide median between the old and new lanes of the highway, which would take down a big part of the hill where the sculpture stands.

Transportation spokesman Kirk Hutchinson says state officials and preservationists have met to consider alternatives, but the options are limited.

Preservationists say the monument is an important landmark along the Santa Fe Trail.

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Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News