New York Construction Report staff writer
The final structural beam has been placed on the new $2.1 billion Buffalo Bills stadium, marking a major milestone and signaling that construction is halfway to completion.
Project leaders from Gilbane/Turner, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, local officials, union workers, and more than 1,000 guests, gathered on April 4 to celebrate the topping out of the 60,000-seat stadium, which is being built next to the team’s current home in Orchard Park.
The new venue, designed by Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous, has so far seen the installation of more than 22,000 pieces of steel weighing over 25,000 tons — with nearly 60% of the steel sourced from New York State. Sixteen fabrication companies contributed to the steelwork.
Construction teams have also excavated 742,000 cubic yards of earth and poured over 46,000 cubic yards of foundation concrete. At peak, up to 1,500 workers are expected on site.
“With more than 1.8 million work hours already completed, this achievement is a testament to the hard work of our skilled trade partners building this state-of-the-art facility,” said John LaRow, principal-in-charge at Gilbane.
Work will now shift to the stadium’s interior and the installation of a 360-degree canopy structure, which will eventually rise 116 feet above ground and cover 65% of seating. Precast materials forming the stadium’s exoskeleton are also being installed, with glass and metal paneling to follow later this spring.
“This milestone marks more than the structural progress of a stadium — it reflects the spirit and strength of the Buffalo community. We are deeply grateful to the Buffalo Bills, our dedicated staff and trade partners and the thousands of union tradespeople — so many of whom call this region home — whose skill and commitment are bringing this landmark project to life,” said Gibane | Turner Program Director Joe Byrne. “It is profoundly meaningful that members of the community are helping to build a venue that will serve as a source of pride and celebration for generations to come.”
Other key features of the stadium include heated concourses and seats, a snow melt system powered by roof sensors, two large video boards, an acoustic system, and modern concession areas.
Union leaders and state officials hailed the project as a model for labor-backed construction.
“This milestone stands as a testament to the positive impacts development done under project labor agreements and with prevailing wage measures can have on our local communities and collective state economy,” said Gary LaBarbera, president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council.
