Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia is set to funnel $2 million into a new infrastructure initiative designed to alleviate traffic congestion around the city’s bustling Stadium District. This decision resolves a protracted dispute stretching over a decade between the casino’s operator, Baltimore-based Cordish Companies, and Pennsylvania state authorities. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) gave its blessing to a Consent Agreement with Stadium Casino RE, LLC, Live! Philadelphia’s parent entity, during their meeting on Wednesday, July 22.
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Resolution of Longstanding Dispute
This funding agreement had its roots in a promise from Cordish to ease traffic woes when it first bid to erect a casino in Philadelphia. The commitment included collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) to build an I-76 westbound on-ramp at 7th Street. Initially, the casino’s licensing terms—agreed upon in November 2014—demanded full financial responsibility for designing and constructing the on-ramp. However, in 2019, during a relicensing hearing, Live! told the PGCB that the DRPA had withdrawn its land support for the ramp. And the PGCB reissued Cordish’s license but amended the requirement to a $1 million contribution toward the project. This month’s agreement ups that to $2 million—spread over five years from Live!’s Community Benefits Program, at $400,000 annually.
Impact on Local Traffic
The new on-ramp is designed to enhance accessibility from Live! Casino and major sports venues like Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, which collectively draw large crowds. Currently, the nearest on-ramp is some distance away at S. And broad Street, a situation that often results in bottlenecks during events. Cordish’s financial participation will contribute to a project estimated to cost about $15 million. Once operational, PennDOT expects the on-ramp to handle approximately 800 vehicles per hour, diverting traffic from existing routes that struggle with high volumes. “This fulfills any traffic-related conditions in Live! Philadelphia’s Category 2 Slot Machine License,” the Consent Agreement states.
Construction Timeline and Future Outlook
PennDOT plans to kick off construction in the coming months, with completion eyed for 2028. As the project gets underway, industry observers will undoubtedly track its progress closely, particularly given the scale of anticipated traffic relief and the casino’s pivotal role in funding. Moving forward, the next checkpoint will be monitoring the allocation of the $2 million commitment from Live! Casino over its planned timeline, ensuring the funds align with the wider infrastructure improvements.
Eri Gaitu leads the news desk at Best in Slot, tracking breaking developments across the gambling world in real time. From exclusive bonus offers and casino launches to licensing updates and regulatory shifts, Eri ensures readers are always first to know about the changes that matter to their gaming experience.
