Big Ben Renovation Costs Double to $81.7 Million

Big Ben's chimes will be silenced for four years during renovation works, except on special occasions. Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

The cost of renovating Big Ben over the next four years has doubled to £61 million ($81.7 million), parliamentary authorities have revealed.

Repair costs for the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster that houses the bell, known as Big Ben, were originally set at £29 million ($38.9 million) in the spring 2016.