Infrastructure Budget for Rio 2016 Revealed at 25% More than Planned

The infrastructure budget for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been revealed at 24.1bn Reais ($10.76bn), order 25% more than planned.

The budget, announced by Brazilian authorities, will cover 27 projects in urban development and public transport.

Part of that includes the 8bn Reais for a new fourth metro line, whilst other projects have been excluded, including the upgrade to the Galeao airport.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes blamed the higher budget on new projects and inflation, which has raised costs by 30% since Rio won the bid in 2009.

Paes has also stated that 57% of the infrastructure costs will come from public funds, from federal, state and municipal governments.

Hosting the Games will now cost Brazil 36.7bn Reais, but that does not include over half of the 52 projects or facilities that will be used only for the Olympics and have yet to receive approval.

The organisers are coming under increased scrutiny for the slow progress they are making.