And if the report's findings and recommendations are accepted byDEP and the NJMC, both state agencies, it could add hundreds ofmillions of dollars to the cost of the mega project, according toobservers. At the moment, the 4.7-million-sfentertainment/retail/office/hotel project slated to rise around theContinental Airlines Arena is carrying a price tag of $1.3billion.

The report was most critical of the developers' traffic study,and it recommends that the study be redone to include a wider area.It also recommends that it be expanded to include the impact of theproject on the region's mass transit.

The report also recommends that Mills and Mack-Cali pay anadditional, unspecified amount for any off-site trafficimprovements the project would require. The two firms, under theiragreement with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority,the state agency that owns the site, would pay $65 million towardsuch improvements.