PITTSBURGH — The owner of the city's proposed slot machine casino has settled a dispute over traffic issues with the Pirates and Steelers.

The teams had filed court appeals saying a traffic study put forth by Detroit casino owner Don Barden underestimated the impact of the casino on game day traffic at PNC Park and Heinz Field.

But Allegheny County Judge Joseph James, who mediated the dispute, told KDKA-TV on Friday that the casino and teams have settled their dispute.

The teams and casino owner have agreed to share the cost of police officers who direct game-day traffic and, with the state's help, to build a pedestrian bridge from Heinz Field to the casino's parking garage.

The plan also calls for more traffic signals on the nearby West End Bridge, so traffic on it can be routed one way toward the stadiums before games and away from them after games.

Bob Oltmanns, spokesman for Barden's PITG Gaming Co. said the deal means construction on the casino can begin next month. The casino construction should take about 16 months, Oltmanns said.