This design of a leaning glass pyramid by Edmonton architect Gene Dub was chosen last year to mark the city's east and west entranceway, along Highway 16. (City of Edmonton)

Edmonton's plan to build two leaning glass pyramids to mark the east and west entranceways to the city has suffered a major setback with a report that costs have almost doubled to $2.6 million, a city councillor said Friday.

The controversial design was selected last year as a way to spruce up the aging "welcome" signs along Highway 16, which links Edmonton to B.C. on the west, and to Saskatchewan on the east.

The budget was estimated at about $1.4 million, but a city report released Thursday says the cost has risen substantially due to the booming economy.

"I think that's too much money to spend right now, " Coun. Kim Krushell told CBC News Friday.

Krushell said at a time when the city is facing rising costs for other priority items, it just can't afford to spend so much on a beautification project.

Still, she defends the idea of the project, even if it doesn't work out in the end.

"We thought it would be interesting to get something unique, which certainly we did, and also the intent was to … show off the city that celebrates the arts and different cultures. So from that perspective we were going in the right direction."

The design, from local architect Gene Dub, was chosen from among about a dozen competing concepts.

When it was unveiled last spring, many people called and wrote to city hall and local media outlets to complain about the design and the cost. Callers to CBC Radio's Edmonton AM show described the markers as "extravagant" and "ugly."

A city council committee will consider what to do about the project, and the price increase, next week.