BJC project jumps $75 million.(construction project of BJC Health System at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Medical Center)

BJC Health System's massive construction project at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Medical Center is coming under the scrutiny of state regulators as the cost hits $300 million - 33 percent higher than original projections.

BJC executives said the escalation in costs was not unexpected and occurred as the health system fleshed out details of what originally was a $225 million plan.

"We have a concern anytime a project goes more than 10 percent over budget." said Tom Piper, director of the Missouri Certificate of Need Program, which reviews health-care projects statewide. The state Health Facilities Review Committee approved the project with a $225 million price tag in January 1997. …