 The project works were a great success, entailing a work force of twelve thousand and cost 2.75 million pounds.The old Delta Barrage was then abandoned, although it has been retained as a historic monument and is still used as a road bridge.American diplomat Edwin de Leon reported that Muhammad Ali's grandson Abbas was willing to sacrifice one of the pyramids in order to complete the poorly financed dam, but this was avoided by the high estimated cost, provided by the engineer.