Casino Developer Wants Out of Expressway On-Ramp Plan in Philadelphia

There is a lot of development and planning intrigue about a casino developer and the extremely challenging plan to add an on-ramp to the Schuylkill Expressway in South Philadelphia.

1 minute read

August 13, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Andrew Maykuth reports on a growing controversy in South Philadelphia over a planned freeway on-ramp for the I-76, Schuylkill Expressway.

In 2014, developers of a casino were granted a license with a special condition requiring for the developers to pay for the design and construction of the on-ramp.

"Not so fast," writes Maykuth. "It turns out that getting a private enterprise to build a public highway project is more challenging than anticipated. Now Stadium Casino LLC — which finally broke ground this year on its $700 million Live! Philadelphia Casino and Hotel at 900 Packer Ave. — wants to get out of its promise."

"Stadium Casino says that the on-ramp idea is unfeasible, and that various government agencies with a stake in I-76 are unable to reach a consensus. It has asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to release it from an obligation it made during the fevered 2014 licensing process, when competing casino operators were promising the moon, the stars, and public works to win approval for the city’s coveted second gaming license."

The article details the political and governance challenges of the on-ramp plan, which is wrapped up in the planning and development history of this part of the city. The casino is under construction just blocks away from Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

A bus stop in Philadelphia, where people wait under a glass shelter for a bus as it arrives.

Philadelphia Councilmember Proposes Transit Access Fund

The plan would allocate 0.5 percent of the general fund toward mobility subsidies for low-income households.

15 minutes ago - Streetsblog USA

Cyclists on an empty rural paved road with hills and sunset in background.

Texas Bill Would Ban Road Diets, Congestion Pricing

A Texas state senator wants to prevent any discussion of congestion pricing and could suspend existing bike lane and sidewalk projects.

1 hour ago - Houston Chronicle

New York City traffic on elevated highway at sunset.

USDOT Threatens to Pull New York Highway Funding

The Trump administration wants the state to kill New York City’s congestion pricing program despite its demonstrated success.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive