Dodge City commissioners say a state Transportation Department plan that would carve away part of a historic rock formation west of town is the safest option for the $69 million highway expansion project.

Ford County commissioners say most of the phone calls they have received support an option that would create a smaller median and preserve the Point of Rocks, so they’re tentatively supporting that proposal.

A third option that would have completed part of the highway expansion but waited for increased funding to bypass the formation was deemed too risky because of the uncertainty of future funding.

Construction of the $69 million expansion of U.S. 50 from Dodge City to Cimarron is scheduled begin in spring of 2018.