Casino could change I-291 in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Casino developer Ameristar released its plan for a casino off of Page Boulevard in Springfield.

Their proposal addresses traffic and crime, but business owners in the area will need convincing.

Ameristar is pushing forward with its plan to turn the old Westinghouse property into a resort casino.

Representatives presented this plan to the Springfield City Council Monday night that including a proposal to add a new interchange off 291 to get directly to the casino.

Business owners and employees in the area say the traffic will build up anyway.

Kevin McCormick said, “I work over here at Smith & Wesson and I really think that ultimately we're going to end up with more traffic and it we're going to end up with a lot of work, certainly going to change things over here."

It's a change, the owner of a nearby gas station isn't looking forward to.

Radwan Zaitoun said, “it's going to make more traffic and affect our business actually." 

Ameristar told the city council is plans to work with the neighborhood to address not only issues of traffic, but crime as well.