Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Another milestone has been reached with the construction of the $2.5 billion new Highmark Stadium, the soon-to-be new home of the Buffalo Bills.
More than two acres of specialized Kentucky bluegrass has been installed as the stadium's playing field and the construction work has crossed the 70% completion threshold, says Steve Ranalli, Erie County Stadium Corp. president.
"Highmark will be ready, on time, next summer," Ranalli said during a tour of the Orchard Park sports complex on Thursday. "The new turf is really like the icing on the cake."
Thus far, more than 22,000 red and blue seats have been installed in the lower bowl and, within the next few months, much of the work will shift from the stadium's exterior and into the interior including building out locker rooms and back-of-the-house operations.
As of early October, more than 1,200 construction workers are on site. Work is continuing on a seven-day a week/two shifts per-day schedule.
"We are moving ahead on all cycles," Ranalli said.
Once the new stadium opens, work will focus on demolishing the current Highmark Stadium - located just across Abbott Road from the new stadium. The current Highmark Stadium site will be used for parking and possible development opportunities.
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