'The Godzillatron is turning out to be more expensive than expected. The same goes for the cost of relocating live oaks, installing fire-protection sprinklers and other work at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

As a result, the price tag for expanding and remodeling the stadium has risen about 18 percent, to $176.5 million. It had previously been budgeted for $149.9 million.

University of Texas System regents are expected to authorize the additional spending today. The project, scheduled for completion in August 2008, will change the configuration of the north end zone, add an upper deck and expand seating capacity to more than 90,000.

UT System records say the additional $26.6 million is needed to finish athletics academic rooms, build temporary bleachers in the south end zone, add a hydrotherapy area, repair guardrails at the east grandstand, relocate utilities, add restrooms to comply with codes, relocate 16 oaks, cover a cost increase for the base north end zone structure and make various safety and environmental improvements. About $100,000 is for a cover for the back of the new high-definition scoreboard.

The regents are also expected to approve a budget increase for renovating UFCU Disch-Falk Field, from $23.1 million to $25.8 million.

No tax dollars are being used for the stadium projects, UT-Austin President William Powers Jr. said Wednesday. Funding comes from bond proceeds, gifts and interest from money set aside for construction work.'