HARRISBURG -- State Sen. Jane Orie is leading an effort to block the state share of funds for the North Shore Connector project in Pittsburgh beyond the $72 million already committed.

Ms. Orie, of McCandless, is the third-ranking Republican in the Senate. She said the Port Authority of Allegheny County needs to do more to control the tunnel project's rising costs.

The overall price tag has increased from $363 million to $435 million, she said. The federal government is paying 80 percent of the cost, or $348 million. The state's share has risen from $60 million to the present $72 million, and the Senate yesterday passed a nonbinding resolution saying "no more." Allegheny County is paying the other $15 million, and also wants to limit its contribution to that amount.

Ms. Orie noted the financial problems that are plaguing the Port Authority.

"With the recent announcement that layoffs and service cutbacks must be made to restore the financial health of the mass transit agency serving our area, it is imperative that we find every means possible to hold down costs," she said.

"Should the construction of the North Shore Connector project proceed, we need to ensure that it is done efficiently and cost-effectively," she added. "The decision by the Port Authority to proceed on the North Shore Connector project must be done with the knowledge that the state's funding commitment [at $72 million] has been fulfilled. If costs for the project increase, state taxpayers will not foot the bill."

Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, said he'll soon introduce Ms. Orie's nonbinding resolution in the House and hopes for approval there, too. A resolution isn't a law but it does give a strong sense of what the Legislature thinks about an issue.

Port Authority spokesman Bob Grove said the agency hasn't asked the state for more money. "We are well aware of the fact that we will be responsible for any cost overruns on this project," he said.

The connector project involves boring twin Light Rail Transit tunnels under the Allegheny River from the Gateway Center station, Downtown, to the North Shore, near PNC Park. Backers of the project say it will make it easier for people to take mass transit from Downtown to attractions on the North Shore, including the football and baseball stadiums, Carnegie Science Center, restaurants and taverns and the casino proposed by developer Don Barden.

The state initially was to provide $60 million for the tunnel connector project, but that has now risen to $72 million, which has some legislators alarmed. Legislators also are being asked by Gov. Ed Rendell to approve a new tax on oil company profits to provide a more stable source of operating funds for mass transit systems.