Don Barden claimed a big victory this week in securing city master plan approval for his $435 million North Shore casino, but his battle to build it is far from over.

Even if the Steelers and Carnegie Science Center decide against an appeal of the planning commission's master plan approval, Mr. Barden still could face significant hurdles in getting his slots emporium up and running in summer 2008.

Over the next five months or so, he and his company, PITG Gaming LLC, must secure the commission's approval for the design of his two-story casino, lighting and landscaping, and signs.

Problems at any stage could jeopardize Mr. Barden's ambitious timetable. They also may serve as forums for the Carnegie Science Center and others to address concerns or press for improvements.

Mr. Barden faces a Sept. 30 deadline to complete a study of the casino's impact on game days at Heinz Field and PNC Park and recommend possible mitigation measures.

The study was ordered to address concerns of the Steelers and the Pirates, both of whom fear casino traffic could create lengthy delays for fans getting to and from games.

Both teams wanted the study done before master plan approval, but city transportation planner Sidney Kaikai said there wasn't enough time for that.

Mr. Kaikai said the city would continue to work with the two teams to try to address their concerns.

"There is no hidden agenda here. We will continue to talk and talk and talk until we reach some [agreement] with them," he said.

PITG Gaming spokesman Bob Oltmanns said the casino is committed to completing the study by the deadline.

"It's a condition for approval so it's incumbent upon us to comply," he said.

The Steelers declined comment yesterday, saying they were still evaluating 16 traffic-related conditions imposed on the casino as part of the master plan approval. One of the conditions was the game day study.

Mr. Barden's next hurdle involves the commission's project development plan review for his building design and foundation, which could come next month.

Planning Director Noor Ismail said she is hoping that review will address concerns about the casino design, including facade treatment, materials, visual impacts and the incorporation of best-practice green building initiatives into construction.

As part of master plan approval, the planning commission asked Mr. Barden to give priority to such items but did not address them in the kind of detail the project development plan process allows.

It is the stage "where I hope all of the details can be worked out" relating to community concerns, Ms. Ismail said, adding that the casino design is still "evolving."

Planning commission members also see that review plus others involving landscaping, lighting and signs as a vehicle for addressing science center concerns about the effects of casino lighting on its observatory and the proper buffers between the slots palace and the center.

"We don't want something that would adversely impact the science center," Ms. Ismail said.

One big issue still dividing the science center and the casino involves the kind of improvements needed to ensure that school buses will continue to have access to the center. The commission has asked Mr. Kaikai to analyze the proposals seeking to address the situation and to determine which one works best.

The science center said after Tuesday's master plan vote that an appeal was still an option, but added it also would continue to try to work with Mr. Barden to reach an agreement.

Another issue that may come up during the project development approval process is open and continuous access to the riverfront trail that will run through the casino property.

Some groups have raised concerns about access being shut off or limited, although PITG Gaming has pledged to keep it open except perhaps for periods during construction.

Despite the possible hurdles to come, getting master plan approval was a "major step" for Mr. Barden, former planning commission chairman Tom Armstrong said.

"That's what you've got to have in place to proceed with your construction," he said. "Without that, you can't do anything."

Mr. Oltmanns said the approval will allow PITG Gaming to move forward with further drawings and details. The casino already has submitted conceptual drawings as part of master plan approval. Mr. Oltmanns is not expecting major modifications or controversies at the project development stage.

"Quite frankly, we think everybody is going to be very pleased with what they see in the project development plan application," he said. "It's a stunning building."