Topeka ? The cost to restore the Capitol continues to increase.

State officials on Thursday were told the project will now cost $172.5 million, which is $10 million more than last year’s estimate and nearly $40 million more than when the project was originally proposed several years ago.

But lawmakers accepted the increase, asking Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to include additional bonding authority for the project, which is now expected to be completed in October 2011 instead of an earlier projection of April 2011.

The cause for the latest bump in the price tag is an increase in the cost of building materials and labor, officials said. The project is being done by J.E. Dunn Construction.

Statehouse architect Barry Greiss said the new estimates also reflect a more realistic cost based on work that has been completed.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said she thought the project was needed.

“Over the long haul, for the next century and a half, this is an investment well worth making,” Sebelius said.

The Capitol was built from 1866 to 1903.