text: $574 million.  That's the AKDOT estimate?  When have you EVER heard of a state transportation project come in anywhere near their budget estimate?  Once they get into it and run short halfway through, will the Feds come swooping in with another giant bag of bail-out cash?  Or is the state left holding the bag?  
  
  If the Feds will backstop it at any price, then why not take their money?