HUDSON, WI (WTAQ) - Minnesota transportation officials say they’ll reduce the numbers of piers that will support the new four-lane bridge over the St. Croix River north of Hudson.

Project director John Chiglo says 5 sets of two piers each will be placed in the water, one set fewer than originally planned. Another set of piers will be placed on land on the Wisconsin side.

Each span will be lengthened by 100 feet to around 575 feet – and Chiglo says it will give the bridge a more slender look. He says it will also help the environment, save time, and possibly millions of dollars.

It could take up to four months to build a single pier, and the savings would come off a project that was expected to cost between $574 million and $690 million. Wisconsin and Minnesota are splitting the bill.

Load tests will begin August 20th on the river bed. Actual construction of the bridge is set to begin next spring.