Steelers may sue Pittsburgh because of game day casino traffic

The Pittsburgh Steelers' president Art Rooney II is considering a lawsuit if the city does not conduct a comprehensive study of a proposed casino traffic.

Steelers may sue Pittsburgh because of game day casino traffic The new Majestic Star Casino, which would be build and run by PITG Gaming LLC, will be the first slot machine facility in Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board actually has not formally issued the casino license yet, as two of the loosing bidders have filed complains and are appealing the Gambling Board's decision. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is set to hear the appeals on May 15th.

Steelers President Art Rooney II is becoming very concerned as city planners move to give the casino's master plan final approval without studying the impact the new facility will have on game days. Rooney's family owns Yonkers Raceway outside New York City, and Art Rooney II says that he is very familiar with casino traffic, and that a study must be conducted before the casino building plans are approved. He fears casino traffic could double exit times for some fans leaving Heinz Field on game days, especially those heading across the West End Bridge.

City transportation planner Sidney Kaikai claims that there is not enough time to conduct a comprehensive study of the Majestic Star Casino traffic if the casino is to open as scheduled in the summer of 2008.

Casino planers were scheduled to discuss the casino's master plan on Tuesday, but that meeting was cancelled, and waiting for the results of an expanded traffic study, the commission members plan to discuss the casino at their meeting on May 29th.

05/12/2007