The Steelers will ask for a delay in the approval of a master plan for the Majestic Star casino as they seek a more detailed study of the slot machine palace's impact on game-day traffic and other big events on the North Shore.

Steelers President Art Rooney II said yesterday the study done by PITG Gaming LLC, the casino operator, did not analyze the impact its traffic would have on games at Heinz Field or PNC Park.

He viewed that as a serious flaw, given the difficulties the team has experienced in moving traffic during home games. He said additional traffic could double the time it takes to empty out the North Shore after games and create "an unacceptable condition for our fans."

"Our main issue is that people underestimate how difficult it is to get 65,000 people in and out of that site," he said. "We have to take that very seriously. We owe it to our fans to take it very seriously."

During a meeting with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board, Mr. Rooney said the Steelers would object to approval of the casino master plan by the city planning commission until the issue is addressed. The planning commission is scheduled to vote on the master plan May 1.

"We don't think it should be approved without a much more thorough study of the traffic and, obviously, an analysis of what it's going to take to fix the problem," he said.

The Steelers join their North Side neighbor, the Carnegie Science Center, in seeking a delay in the May 1 vote. Both have concerns about the impact of casino traffic on their operations and so far have been unable to resolve them in meetings with PITG Gaming representatives.

Planning commission Chairwoman Wrenna Watson said yesterday the master plan vote still is scheduled May 1, but added there is a "strong possibility" it could be continued beyond that point.

"It will be up to the board members. I know there are some concerns around the table already that have not been addressed," she said.

Bob Oltmanns, PITG Gaming spokesman, said the casino's traffic study did address game-day impacts, but that the Steelers disagreed with the way the analysis was conducted. He also said the study included the impact on the West End Bridge and ramps around it but didn't extend to interstates.

As to the Steelers concerns, he said Sunday afternoons are not peak casino times, nor are Monday nights. In fact, he said, it's possible that Steelers traffic could deter casino traffic, not the other way around. He said even at its peak, the casino traffic doesn't come close to the volume or intensity of Steelers traffic.

In the short term, a delay in the approval may not have much impact on the Majestic Star's timetable for opening the casino in summer 2008. The two losing bidders for the state-issued Pittsburgh slots license have appealed the award to the state Supreme Court. Arguments won't be heard until May 15.

A ruling may not follow for at least several weeks after that.

PITG Gaming, headed by businessman Don Barden, won't move forward with the casino construction until the appeals have been resolved.

In addition to his concerns about game-day traffic, Mr. Rooney said there's also a need to study the impact the casino will have on the regional highway system.

He estimated it could cost "tens of millions of dollars" to make the improvements necessary to mitigate the impact. Mr. Barden already has pledged $10 million in improvements to intersections and roads near the casino.

One big concern for the Steelers is that weekends are considered peak times for both the sports teams and the casino, which expects most of its visitors Friday and Saturday nights.

Alco Parking Corp. President Merrill Stabile, whose company parks cars around the stadiums, doesn't think the casino will have a huge impact on traffic during Steelers or Pirates games. He called the Steelers' concerns "way overblown."

He believes most slots players will avoid the North Shore on Steelers game days or wait until after the game to visit. Most pre-game Steelers traffic arrives from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sundays, hardly peak casino hours, he said.

"My point is that those people are going to come in after the crowd is over or they're going to be part of the crowd," he said.

Mr. Oltmanns urged the planning commission to approve the master plan while those discussions with the Steelers and others continue.

"I think Barden's group will be careful about addressing [traffic] and they will not ignore it," Mr. Stabile said. "I think they're going to be good neighbors."