Capitol Project Costs Balloon

Nov. 24, 2004 — -- As federal deficits rise and Congress scrounges for money, federal lawmakers have allowed a simple public works project to balloon to twice its estimated cost. A plan that started as a modest visitor center at the U.S. Capitol now carries a price tag of half a billion dollars of taxpayer money.

"This is a perfect example of a congressional boondoggle right on the doorsteps of the Capitol," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan government watchdog group.

The visitor center was initially intended to funnel tourists into the Capitol, but post-9/11 security measures and add-ons have escalated it into a massive rebuilding project, ABC News has learned.

Added security after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, tacked on roughly $35 million to cost overruns that also include $85 million for new office space and $12 million for an underground tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress -- it will be the sixth tunnel.

"Maybe we don't need six tunnels. Maybe members could use umbrellas crossing the street," said Republican Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia, chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Capitol visitor's center project. "After all, for over 100 years we've been using umbrellas and we've gotten over there time and time again safely."

Kingston's committee is now investigating the cost overruns.

Major construction on the center began in July 2002, and the first phase was planned to be finished in time for the January inauguration. It is at least a year behind schedule.

The reasons for the delays and escalating costs are somewhat murky, but government investigators cite management issues and unforeseen circumstances. Kingston, however, cites inefficiency and waste.

"Right now we have paid over $19 million to these consultants that haven't, you know, laid any brick or put up any walls, and yet every time there's a mistake they seem to make money," he said.

The cost overruns are projected to be $100 million for this year alone, a money pit that includes stone work, a gift shop and guide services. Kingston suggested the Capitol architect was to blame, but Ellis said Congress should look at itself.

"They've utterly failed," he said.

ABC News' Linda Douglass filed this report for World News Tonight.