Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - 140 Days.
That's the approximate number of days before the new Highmark Stadium opens along Abbott Road in Orchard Park.
The $2.2 billion stadium - the new home for the Buffalo Bills - is more than 90% complete and on pace to be completed, with all the inspections done, by late July.
"We are keeping the cylinders moving," said Steve Ranalli, Erie County Stadium Corp. president.
Both Ranalli and Pete Guelli, Bills' chief operating officer, say they expect the ownership of the stadium to shift from Erie County to New York State by Aug. 1, via the Erie County Stadium Corp., which itself is an affiliate of Empire State Development.
Originally, the title transfer was planned for June, but extra time was needed to finish some final interior work and complete all the inspections.
"Everything is on track," Ranalli said.
The key is reaching the "substantial completion" milestone - a construction industry term that loosely translates to a project being 99% complete - in July. That would allow for the legal transfer of the property to take place.
All of those will allow the Bills to gain a certificate of substantial completion, and then they can formally move into the new stadium.
"There shouldn't be any problems," Ranalli said.
Currently, there are more than 1,500 construction workers on site, with crews working on a 24/7 schedule.
Just three years ago, the site was just a series of parking lots across the street from the old Highmark Stadium, which is slated for demolition in the coming months.
"It's pretty amazing, if you think about it," Ranalli said.
Guelli is so confident about the construction schedule that the Bills are planning to host their annual "Return of the Blue and Red" scrimmage at the new stadium. The scrimmage typically takes place in early August.
"We are gearing up for that," Guelli said.
Formal grand opening plans are still in the planning stage. The Bills' preseason and regular season schedule will also be released this spring, giving fans a clearer picture of the new stadium's key dates.
Even after the stadium opens, a punch list of final touches may take some of the crews through the end of the year, Ranalli says.
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