Sports teams, casino agree to create game day traffic plan

[83-Steelers-43]

Sports teams, casino agree to create game day traffic plan
Friday, October 12, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pirates, Steelers and a casino developer have agreed to create a plan to manage traffic during events at Heinz Field and PNC Park on the North Side.

Allegheny County President Judge Joseph James announced this afternoon that the parties have six months to devise the plan to prevent gridlock when casino and game traffic come together.

Judge James was appointed by the state Supreme Court to mediate the dispute after the sports teams filed appeals to local approvals for casino construction. The teams will drop their objections if a settlement is reached.

The parties also plan to study what long-term structural improvements might be needed, such as pedestrian overpasses, ramp improvements or road widening.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07285/824979-100.stm

[SteelCityMan786]

Surprised to see that they are agreeing to do this

[83-Steelers-43]

Steelers, Pirates, casino reach agreement on traffic
Friday, November 02, 2007
By Mark Belko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Casino developer Don Barden has reached agreement with the Steelers and Pirates on an estimated $16 million in traffic improvements around the proposed North Shore casino that could allow for a casino ground-breaking by the end of the year.

Allegheny County Judge Joseph James announced the agreement late this morning. He was assigned to work with the parties after the Steelers and Pirates sued to block casino construction due to traffic concerns.

Under the agreement, an overhead pedestrian walkway will be built from the proposed light rail transit station --- to be built at the current site of the Carnegie Science Center's SportWorks facility -- across Allegheny Avenue to Heinz Field.

The improvements also will include lane controls and signs at the West End Bridge and West End Circle, which will be one of the primary access points to the casino.

The cost of the work will be shared by Mr. Barden, the Steelers, and city, Allegheny County and state governments.

The sports teams agreed to drop their legal challenge.

Mr. Barden said the agreement should clear the way for construction to begin once the city approves final design for the casino complex. The major hang-up there is the visibility of a huge parking garage behind the casino building.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07306/830639-66.stm