Topeka ? The state received $500,000 in private donations to help cover the costs of putting a statue on the Capitol dome, but Gov. Bill Graves has canceled a larger project to link the Capitol to three state office buildings with underground tunnels.

Graves made both announcements Friday during a news conference. Both projects had upset some legislators, who said the state shouldn’t be spending money on them when it faced budget problems and cuts in education and social services spending.

The statue, “Ad Astra,” is scheduled to go atop the dome Monday. By Salina sculptor Richard Bergen, it depicts a Kansa Indian shooting an arrow into the sky. It is about 21 feet tall and weighs about 3 tons, and its name comes from the state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” Latin for “To the Stars Through Difficulties.”

The money for the statue is coming from several anonymous donors through the Topeka Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps match donors and causes. The state would be left paying only about $160,000, but the foundation hopes donations will eliminate that burden as well.

“I won’t go so far as to say pennies from heaven, but this is awfully good news,” Graves said.

The state had considered building the tunnels, for visitor and state employee traffic, with $10 million in federal funds set aside by the Department of Transportation, without using any state money. The project also would have replaced deteriorating utility tunnels.

Graves said some state officials thought the project might cost as much as $13 million, putting the state on the hook. He cited legislative opposition in canceling the project.

“I think we’re missing a great opportunity,” Graves said.

The governor noted that simply repairing the utility tunnels was expected to cost $3.8 million a burden the state will shoulder now without any federal funds. The federal money KDOT set aside can be used for pedestrian tunnels but not utility tunnels.

Transportation Secretary Dean Carlson, who had championed the project, acknowledged he was relieved that it had been canceled because of the legislative opposition.

Donations will help the state pay for the installation of Ad Astra, a 22-foot-tall statue created by Salina sculptor Richard Bergen. The statue will be on display from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Lawrence Visitor Center, 402 N. Second St. The project's cost had drawn criticism from legislators and others during tight economic times in Kansas, but Friday's 00,000 donation will relieve some of the worry.

“It’s been like trying to push a wet noodle uphill, and it’s been extremely lonely,” Carlson said. “I really am tired of the fight.”

Both projects came after the start of an eight-year, $135 million renovation of the Capitol, which includes the construction of an underground parking garage on the north side. Graves, who leaves office in January, said the next governor and legislators should see opportunities to attract private donations.

“If individuals had some inclination towards private giving to support Capitol restoration, it would be a great addition to that project,” Graves said. “Perhaps it’s an opportunity going forward.”