Big Plans With Growing Price Tags

The intercounty connector first hit planning maps in the 1950s as a link in a proposed outer beltway. By the late 1970s, it was estimated at $262 million, or $781.5 million adjusted for inflation. When it was scrapped in 1999, its price was $1 billion. When it was revived in 2003, its cost had risen to $1.4 billion, which quickly became $1.7 billion and, now, $2.4 billion.

Maryland officials said $750 million of the connector's price would be paid by borrowing against future federal funds -- consuming about 20 percent of that money over the next 15 years -- and the rest would come from state money and tolls.

State officials said the higher cost is a reflection of project alterations, inflation and uncontrollable price spikes in steel and other materials.

For instance, longer bridges to protect waterways added $120 million. Enhanced storm water runoff techniques cost an additional $20 million, and $30 million was added for toll-collecting facilities.

William Buechner, chief economist at the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, said that the price of materials, which accounts for nearly half of project costs, jumped 8.5 percent last year, largely because of an increase in steel prices caused by demand from China, and that costs will go up an additional 8 to 10 percent this year.

"What it means is that in 2006, it'll cost 10 to 15 percent more to do the same thing as in 2003," Buechner said. "It's not just the ICC and Dulles connector whose costs have been going up. A lot of states are finding they can't do all the projects they want to do."

Staff writer Peter Whoriskey contributed to this report.