The completion of the new Hamilton Police and court building will cost taxpayers almost $34 million this year, bringing the total cost of the development to nearly $92 million.

The 2010/11 Budget gives total allowed funding (TAF) for the project of $91.8 million, compared to the original $78 million TAF.

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess explained the overrun to the House of Assembly earlier this month, giving a breakdown of why increased costs of more than $13 million had been incurred.

At the time, he said the extra costs "result in a total forecasted cost of $91,303,666.98 for the construction of the Magistrates' Court/Hamilton Police Station building and its fit-out."

The other major capital project in yesterday's Budget was the expansion and maintenance of the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility at a combined cost of $33 million. It will also get a new fire protection system.

Mr. Burgess told a post-Budget press conference: "Work will continue on the establishment of a critically important third incineration stream at Tynes Bay waste-to-energy facility and geotechnical studies will be ongoing with respect to the construction of a structure that will eventually replace the Causeway."

Ms Cox had earlier told the House of Assembly: "In particular, the Tynes Bay waste treatment facility will be concentrating on the refurbishment of the existing incineration streams combustion and pollution control systems as a top priority. The construction of the new ash processing plant will commence in 2010/11."

The Ministry of Works and Engineering gets $71.5 million this coming year, as it did in 2009/10.

More than half goes to the Department of Operations and Engineering and $26.4 million to the Department of Lands, Buildings and Surveys.

Deputy Premier Ms Cox said: "With the economic slowdown, repairing and upgrading our infrastructure is an effective way to revive it and create new jobs. Investment in infrastructure is a national priority.

"That is why many economists embrace intelligent infrastructure spending. The Ministry of Works and Engineering is using its wherewithal so as to help keep people working."

Cash will be spent in 2010/11 on improving roads, designing a flood control structure for Mill Creek and inspecting and refurbishing major bridges and docks.

The Ministry also has plans for:

• an environmental assessment of the airport waste management facility on the waters of Castle Harbour;

• a "user-pay" charges system for waste disposal at the airport and Marsh Folly;

• maintenance of the existing water plants; and

• the Land Title Registry Office to continue compiling a comprehensive electronic record of land ownership;