Casino Traffic Demonstration in Palmer

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By Scott McDonnell

Story Published: Jun 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM EDT

Those against a proposed one billion dollar casino project took to the streets on Saturday, dropping their picket signs and picking up the keys to their cars.

A group of anti-casino supporters held a traffic simulation to highlight the potential volume the casino would add to roadways in Palmer.

More than seventy-five residents drove around town to demonstrate the impact it would have on Palmer roads.

"If the casino does come in and if gambling is legalized in Mass, the traffic will increase dramatically. We are showing everyone what it will be like to go to the store and pick up your kids. It's really going to put a lot more cars on our roads, said Lauren Smith of Monson.

It's not just cars and trucks that have residents concerned, a constant flow of tour buses also raises concern.

Supporters of the casino who also out in full force, saying the the benefits outweigh the costs.

"A little traffic to bring that money into our state, that's a small price to pay," said Joe Fizzino.

If the casino is built, Foxwoods estimates that over thirteen thousand motorists will travel through the area on weekends, close to ten thousand during the week.

"There is certainly going to be issues, we certainly have to mitigate those issues, but on the same token I think we have to seize the moment and bring growth back into Palmer", said resident Paul Burns.

Traffic concerns are just one of many issues that will have to be hashed out when it comes to the proposed casino.

The state legislature plans to debate any plans for the casino in the fall of 2009.

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Anonymous said on Sunday, Jun 14 at 4:02 PM

Too bad the Mohegan Sun in Palmer (as they have stated) would be a purely corporate affair, meaning that you in fact are wrong.

Anonymous said on Sunday, Jun 14 at 3:55 PM

I am of Indian descent ... it is actually true. I would get offered a job at the casino before anyone else not of Indian descent would

Anonymous said on Sunday, Jun 14 at 2:19 PM

Anonymous, that is patently false. There is NO law stating what you said. Im fact, everything you stated is an outright lie, and anyone who looks at the actual NUMBERS from the similar efforts in Connecticut will see that your claims, are once again, wrong.

Willy said on Sunday, Jun 14 at 11:50 AM

Don't feed the Indians, keep the casino's out of MA.

Anonymous said on Sunday, Jun 14 at 10:52 AM

They keep saying that this casino will bring job and better the economic state of MA .. what people do not realize is that Mohegan will by law have to offer jobs to people from their Tribe, then to other federally recognized Tribes ... there may not be any jobs left for us in the end. And then look at the traffic, crime, etc that will go up and the amount of money it will take to conpensate ... it does not break even. We loose.

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