Massachusetts INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS

This might have been one of many issues included in the INDEPENDENT COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS Beacon Hill refused to conduct.

Sent to the Gambling Commission -

http://www.mass.gov/gaming/contact-us/ask-the-commission.html


Of particular concern to Massachusetts taxpayers are the INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS.

Suffolk Downs:
Senator Petrucelli commissioned a report from Vitagliano
about the requisite infrastructure improvements to make
Suffolk Downs a viable consideration.

I phoned the Senator's Office and requested a copy of the report
and was ignored.

I wrote to the Senator's Office and under the Public Records Law
from which the legislature has exempted itself, requested a copy
of the report and was ignored. The Public Records Officer of the
Secretary of State does not have a copy of the taxpayer funded
report.

Mr. Vitagliano indicates that he has oddly misplaced the report.

I/we have no way of reviewing the details or traffic studies to determine their validity.

From:
Senator Petrucelli sticks taxpayers with $500 million bill


In 2009, an independent study commissioned by Petruccelli showed that regardless if a casino is built at Suffolk Downs costs to improve the infrastructure along the Route 1A corridor from the Sumner/Callahan Tunnels to Copeland Circle in Revere would cost the state almost $500 million.

“A local casino would have a major traffic impact…because casinos are among the heaviest traffic generators compared to other possible uses (of Suffolk Downs),” wrote Vitagliano in his study. “Casinos generate constant high traffic volumes from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.”
In his study, Vitagliano suggested widening Route 1A from Curtis Street in East Boston to Mahoney Circle in Revere. This would include property taking and cost $40 million; widen Revere Beach Parkway in Revere, Everett and Medford at a cost of $90 million; perform a Copeland Circle grade separation in Revere that would cost $75 million; perform a Mahoney Circle grade separation in Revere that would cost $30 million; perform a Brown Circle grade separation in Revere that would cost $25 million; install a Route 1A to Route 16 connector on Railroad Ave. in Revere at a cost of $45 million; construct a haul road in East Boston at a cost of $20 million; build a Route 1A-Chelsea Street Bridge connector in East Boston that would cost $40 million; perform a Route 1A/Boardman Street grade separation in East Boston that would cost $10 million; build a Route 1A-Route 16 interchange that would cost $15 million; perform a Revere Street grade separation in Revere that would cost $10 million; improve traffic signalization along the Route 1A corridor at a cost of $5 million; and finally mitigation for traffic impacts on the local communities would be $15 million.

The total cost of the improvements would have a price tag of $420 million according to Vitagliano.

Foxborough:
For any construction of a heavily trafficked Slot Barn, a Pedestrian Bridge is required.

In addition, the commuter rail line must be extended with a cost of ~ $100 MILLION, with an annual loss to municipalities along the line of ~ $4 MILLION.

The recent Traffic Study that was conducted was during a lull in area traffic, invalidating their validity. (The area is gridlocked during Patriots' Games.)

Plainville:
This traffic survey was also conducted during a slow period of time.

Taunton:
In an early article referencing the location of the proposed Mashpee Wampoag Slot Barn, Senator Pacheco indicated requisite infrastructure upgrades. (It's gridlocked, especially during holiday shopping periods.]

Palmer:
A parade of a small number of vehicles gridlocked Palmer, exemplifying the inability of the community to tolerate even a slight increase in traffic.

Milford:
The surrounding communities consist of 2 lane roads. Any additional traffic seeking alternative routes would impact public safety.

SouthCoast:
SRPEDD is now linking southcoast rail to Slot Barn development, with non-existent revenues to support bonding, a Folly bound to fail.

I would sincerely request that in your consideration of the viablility of any project, the cost of infrastructure improvements to taxpayers is including.

When you consider location, does the + $500 MILLION cost of Suffolk Downs create a sensible economic investment?