Casino would usher in repairs

REVERE – Suffolk Downs casino developers will spend money on Routes 1 and 16, Revere Beach Parkway and public transit improvement if they get licensed by the state in June, a casino transportation consultant said Friday.”This is an opportunity for a lot of private investment in public infrastructure,” said John Kennedy, principal with transportation company Vanesse, Hangen, Brustlin.The Suffolk-Mohegan Sun casino proposal is a chance to cross major projects off a long list of North Shore transportation improvements, said Kennedy and state Sen. Thomas M. McGee.The state Gaming Commission decides by June 30 if the Suffolk Downs-Mohegan Sun casino plan or a competing Everett casino proposal will receive a state license.McGee told two dozen people gathered in Revere City Hall to discuss the Revere proposal that every dollar invested in transportation projects generates $1.25 in economic activity.”This region, in particular, faces many challenges. Investing in transportation is going to grow our economy in this region,” McGee said.McGee said “good reliable rail service” is a top transportation need for the North Shore. Kennedy said projects on Suffolk-Mohegan’s transportation improvement list includes plans to build two additional ramps serving Route 1 and Route 16; improvements to Revere Beach Parkway and Winthrop Avenue and work planned for Beachmont station – in walking distance of a Suffolk casino, according to developers.City Councilor at large Anthony Zambuto said the ramps will channel traffic around Revere’s rotaries and onto Route 1A.”It will make a big difference,” he said.Former state Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Mullan said casino-related traffic improvements are not limited to resolving problems stemming from casino traffic.”Developers know today they need to provide the mitigation – they need traffic to work,” Mullan said.McGee said a 2007 report warned Massachusetts is spending $1 billion less annually than it needs to on transportation projects.Convincing the commission a Suffolk-Mohegan casino includes regional traffic solutions is a goal Mayor Daniel Rizzo said he shares with casino developers.”Why is it important to have the project here? We’re on public transportation; we’re right outside Logan Airport,” he said.