BALTIC, S.D. (AP) - The cost of a major bridge project in southeastern South Dakota has been reduced and the timeline speeded up after inspectors deemed the existing bridge piers to be structurally sound.

The Highway 114 bridge near Baltic that was built in 1956 was closed in September after an inspection revealed it was unsafe. The bridge across the Big Sioux River in Minnehaha County had been used by about 1,500 vehicles daily.

Officials had planned for a two-year, $3 million reconstruction project. County Highway Superintendent D.J. Buthe tells the Argus Leader (http://argusne.ws/TsvycC) that the project cost is now estimated at about $1 million, and the work should be completed by