A 1995 law meant to help Virginia fast-track transportation projects and hold down their cost has done neither for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, critics said Friday after officials announced further delays and price escalations.

The Public Private Transportation Act has long come under fire for allowing officials to circumnavigate the bidding process, to some extent and negotiate directly with contractors for the 23-mile rail extension to Loudoun County. Critics accuse the commonwealth of doing away with real competition and shrouding the project in secrecy through closed-door talks with private firms.