Like many Bills fans, I am very curious regarding the construction of the team's new stadium. Unlike most Bills fans, I also live very close to the current and new stadiums.
I've created this account to document and provide regular updates on the construction of the new stadium.
Over the past month, the foundation of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has very much begun to take form. Construction work has progressed from digging a rough pit to building a more refined base that will support support the stadium's subterranean infrastructure.
Construction work on the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium continues to be focused on completing the foundation and building the subterranean infrastructure. One very noticeable addition in the past month has been the clear shape of a tunnel accessing the southwest corner of the stadium.
My apologies for posting less regular updates regarding construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium over the past two months. Visible progress has slowed considerably as work has been mostly focused upon completing the foundation and subterranean infrastructure for the stadium.
The second level of new
@BuffaloBills
stadium is beginning to take shape! With the first level of the stadium structure now completely encircling the former construction pit, work has been focused upon erecting steel from that level to begin building the next tier of the stadium.
Today marks one year since I started this account to provide updates on construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium. My goal was to have 1,000 followers by the time the new stadium opened and I currently have over 4,500 people following and reading my posts. Thank you everyone!
Like many Bills fans, I am very curious regarding the construction of the team's new stadium. Unlike most Bills fans, I also live very close to the current and new stadiums.
I've created this account to document and provide regular updates on the construction of the new stadium.
The new
@BuffaloBills
stadium continues to expand with each passing week. The second level now fully encircles the stadium, while the third level continues to grow upward and outward. As the structure grows it is unmistakably taking the shape of an actual stadium!
Construction work for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium been focused on the installation of structural steel beams since the arrival of the cranes on site. Steel work has progressed steadily over the past two weeks, with the total extent of installation roughly doubling each week.
The steel skeleton of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium is expanding upward. Construction work over the past month has been focused on building the next level of the stadium's structure above ground. Now visible from all directions, the shape of the new stadium is starting to emerge!
Construction work for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium over the past three weeks has been mostly focused upon the installation of structural steel. The structure has steadily grown wider but not taller, with roughly the same amount of steel columns and beams installed each week.
Construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has reached a new phase with the arrival of massive construction cranes on site. These cranes will be used to lift the stadium's structural steel into place and are a stark addition to the height and profile of the construction site.
The third level of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has begun to emerge! Extending from the northwest side of the second level, this tier adds to the stadium's increasingly towering height. Despite its current size, over half of the structure's total steel has yet to be installed.
Construction work to install structural steel for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has advanced at an incredible rate over the past month. The structure of the stadium's lower bowl has expanded considerably and now fully encompasses the north and west sides of the construction pit.
Are rumors that Bills fans have been sacrificing themselves into the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium construction pit in order to ensure wins and an eventual Super Bowl victory true???
Based upon known facts, unconfirmed incidents and my expertise... I would say a resounding MAYBE! 😄
The steel structure of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium continues to steadily grow upward and outward. The second level is topped off on the northwest side of the stadium and is now emerging from the southeast side of the lower bowl. It is beginning to look like an actual stadium!
Below is the latest video update from the
@BuffaloBills
providing exclusive aerial views from a drone flyover of the new stadium.
Stills from the video provide an amazing perspective on the progress of construction work and the current scope of the stadium.
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
Over the past month, construction work for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has begun to shift from a digging operation to laying the groundwork for the stadium's infrastructure. Blasting and digging work is wrapping up and the final landscape of the site appears to be taking shape.
The Stadium Experience Center promises to provide season ticket holders with a preview of the fan experience within the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium. Hopefully this video will provide some views as well! 👀
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
Over the past month, construction work for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has begun to shift from a digging operation to laying the groundwork for the stadium's infrastructure. Blasting and digging work is wrapping up and the final landscape of the site appears to be taking shape.
The retaining wall on the north and west sides of the construction pit has grown larger and is continuously being backfilled to support the stadium's foundation. Additional materials, equipment and supplies to construct the stadium's infrastructure continue to arrive on site.
The latest episode of the video series providing behind the scenes looks at construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has dropped!
This includes exclusive views of the east side of the stadium that are not visible outside of the construction zone. 👀
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
The most notable progress has been the reinforcement of the retaining walls built within the perimeter of the construction pit, which are tallest on the north and west sides of the foundation. Progress also continues on the work to install of the stadium's utility infrastructure.
The new
@BuffaloBills
stadium continues to expand with each passing week. The second level now fully encircles the stadium, while the third level continues to grow upward and outward. As the structure grows it is unmistakably taking the shape of an actual stadium!
The scene of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium, to be held on Monday, June 5, 2023. Participants will include NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bills Owner Terry Pegula, General Manager Brandon Beane and Head Coach Sean McDermott.
Below is the latest video update from the
@BuffaloBills
providing exclusive views and very interesting commentary regarding the layout of the new stadium!
#GoBills
|
#BillsMafia
I will be posting a new update regarding construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium later this week. In the meantime, in the spirit of Halloween...
Did you know that there is a cemetery located just outside of the current Bills stadium? 👻
I had the pleasure of meeting
@HammersLot
while taking the pictures in this post! Hammer's Lot is obviously huge part of Bills tailgating culture, but owner Eric is also extremely knowledgeable regarding the new stadium and an expert on the history of the surrounding area.
I would strongly discourage anyone from attempting to feed themselves to the pit; however,
#BillsMafia
are a desperate bunch and the lure of contributing towards a Super Bowl victory may be too strong for some to resist.
#GoBills
With this next level of the new stadium underway, the steel structure can now clearly be seen from every direction. These views are beginning to give an idea of the scale of the new stadium and the impact it will have on the surrounding landscape.
This graphic provides an interesting look at the configuration of levels within the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium. This post also provides great information regarding seat options and how they will be made available for season ticket holders.
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
The most significant impact construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium will have on fans attending the home opener today will be in regards to parking and tailgating. The construction zone has displaced the RV, bus and limo parking lot, the former Lot 3 and a portion of Lot 4.
Other noteworthy construction progress has been work towards building out the lowest level of the stadium, which utilizes the two massive cranes on site. This subterranean level will house infrastructure and other stadium facilities which will be located below the field level.
Below is the latest update from the
@BuffaloBills
providing exclusive views from construction of the new stadium.
The photo gallery that this post links to includes 74 total pictures from the construction site!
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
Components of the construction cranes began to arrive on site more than a month ago. The cranes were assembled over the past several weeks and now dominate the skyline of the construction site. The cranes will tower over the area until the stadium's structure is complete.
This post is dedicated to my dad, who passed away earlier this week. My father was a Bills season ticket holder dating back to the days at The Old Rockpile (the original Bills stadium!). He took me to many games as a kid and introduced me to becoming a Bills fan.
Love you Dad!
The ceremonial first steel beam was placed on February 2, 2024. Steel installation work is expected to last for approximately one year, after which the stadium's steel skeleton will be complete.
The most significant impact construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium will have on fans attending the home opener today will be in regards to parking and tailgating. The construction zone has displaced the RV, bus and limo parking lot, the former Lot 3 and a portion of Lot 4.
@samueldsavage
I intentionally take all of my pictures during days and times when construction work is not occurring. It actually isn't that easy since they run multiple shifts and work on Saturdays!
Along with the arrival of various types of new equipment and more traditional construction supplies, other notable additions to the construction site have been a truck wheel washing station and an ever increasing fleet of utility task vehicles to ferry workers around the site.
I have indicated the approximate current outline of the half pit shaped dig in yellow on my map of the construction zone. This outline can also be seen from a different angle in an aerial photo recently taken at the construction site.
Aerial photo credit: Dave Vogan Photography
New equipment and materials have begun to arrive onto the site indicating that work to build the subterranean utility infrastructure is ready to begin. Meanwhile, with digging wrapping up, the massive rock pile on the ECC South campus has likely reached its maximum height.
Rumors of ritual construction pit sacrifices began circulating in December as the Bills started their current winning streak. These spread even further after
@BuffaClothes
cited unconfirmed reports of patients with "pit injuries" being admitted to a local hospital each game day.
Construction work over the past two weeks seems to be focused on preparing the groundwork around the perimeter of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium. Large trenches, which appear to line up with the location and shape of the stadium, are currently at a depth of approximately 12 feet.
There certainly is no shortage of bodies around the Bills stadium! The Sheldon Family Cemetery is located in a small fenced area adjacent to the current stadium, and contains about a dozen graves dating back to the 1830's. 👻
Thought that I would retweet my first update regarding the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium considering that I had zero followers when I first tweeted this. 😄
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
Construction work for the new stadium began almost immediately after the Erie County Legislature gave the final required approval on May 4, 2023. Currently, all construction work is occurring across the street from the current stadium on the west side of Abbott Road.
The shape of the seating terraces that will comprise the lower bowl of the stadium and even stairs can be clearly seen emerging within the steel structure. The steel columns that will ultimately support the stadium's upper levels have even begun to extend above ground level.
@140MainStreet
@BuffaloBills
Per the Erie County Stadium Corp (the agency overseeing the stadium project), almost 100% of the steel being used is American made with approximately 60% being produced in New York State.
Another significant change is that the famous Mud Lot sadly no longer exists. This property was put up for sale this Spring and was purchased by the Bills. Formerly grass and dirt, the lot was filled in with crushed stone and will now serve as a staff parking lot on game days.
The third level began to emerge over the past two weeks. Much like the first two levels, this construction work started with the installation of vertical steel columns before the addition of horizontal beams and the more recognizable seating tiers.
The massive quantity of rock currently being removed from the construction pit for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium is being deposited in a large area on the ECC South campus. This area is connected to the construction site by an access road built parallel to Southwestern Boulevard.
Additional buildings are beginning to be constructed on the site, immediately to the south of the stadium. Presumably these buildings will serve as supporting facilities for the new stadium, although their ultimate purpose is not yet apparent to a casual observer such as myself.
As the construction pit for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium continues to grow deeper, the rock pile on the ECC South Campus grows larger. Presumably this rock will just stay here for three years until it is used to fill in the pit left after the demolition of the current stadium.
Other significant progress on construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has been on the construction zone itself. The installation of construction fencing has been completed to form a secure perimeter and turnstile gates have been installed for workers to access the site.
It was announced on January 26th that the excavation phase of the construction project had formally completed and that the installation of structural steel would begin. Although minor excavation work does continue, the cranes have already started placing steel beams into place.
Additionally, the terracing that will support the actual seating in the stadium has begun to be installed within the first level. This provides our first look at what will become a visible component of the fully constructed stadium!
Over the past two weeks, construction of the
@BuffaloBills
new stadium has steadily progressed although without any remarkable new developments. The construction pit continues to be dug out larger and deeper while additional pieces of infrastructure have been falling into place.
Steel beams are hoisted into the construction pit utilizing the large cranes and then installed in place using smaller cranes and lifts. All steel is currently installed below grade on the northwest corner of the stadium, seemingly part of the stadium's subterranean structure.
What differences can fans attending the Red & Blue Scrimmage at the current
@BuffaloBills
stadium on Friday expect to see? Most notable difference will be found along Abbott Road, where they will see a perimeter fence, lots of large earth moving equipment and a very large pit!
Several people have already been apprehended for attempting to sacrifice themselves to the pit. Most notably before the Bills home opener, when a fan under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and LSD launched himself into the pit while naked and covered in excrement!
I was certain that drunken fans would sneak their way into the new stadium construction site on game days. I didn't necessarily expect someone to fall into the actual construction pit while naked and covered in excrement... but I'm also not too surprised! 😆
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
NOW: Members of the
@ECSONY1
are discussing an incident on Sunday before the
#Bills
' home opener in Orchard Park, where a 29-year-old male ended up jumping over the fence at the stadium construction site and ended up in the excavated hole.
I have indicated the approximate location of this current trench work in yellow on my handy-dandy map of the construction zone, which seems to line up with the planned location for the new stadium.
@BuffaloBills
Please consider following me if you are interested in updates on construction of the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium! I am a lifelong Bills fan and season ticket holder who happens to live close the stadium, and I will be documenting construction as it progresses.
#BillsMafia
#GoBills
It appears that piles have also started being driven into the perimeter areas of the pit. These pile foundations will be utilized for supporting the large structural elements of the new stadium. Preparations for the construction of the actual stadium are underway!
Much like the first level, construction of the second level has started on the north and west sides of the stadium. Based upon the renderings of the new stadium, it appears this level will include the second tier of seating as well as many of the suites and other premium seating.
Construction work for the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium remains focused on blasting, digging and rock removal within the stadium pit. The overall width of the pit has not increased; however it now has two levels and continues to grow deeper, reaching approximately 40 feet in depth.
With the sub-terrain structure now fully encompassing the construction pit, this level currently rises from the north and west sides of the stadium. I expect that this structure will comprise an additional level of the lower bowl, so the new stadium will continue to grow taller.
There also has been an increased focus upon clearing and leveling the land located directly south of the stadium. It seems likely that this area will be utilized for stadium facilities and perhaps even premium parking.
Another recent development around the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium has been the addition of what appears to be an access road for the construction site. This road connects to the northwest corner of the site and runs parallel to Southwestern Boulevard along the ECC South campus.
I am particularly fascinated by this tree near the access road, which I am referring to as the "sludge tree" because of the filthy water always pooling around its base. Time will tell how long this tree survives. I hope it makes it through the stadium construction period alive!
The most notable addition has been the retaining wall built along the north and west sides of the construction pit. Massive steel piles are being driven into the ground to form this wall, along which concrete will presumably be formed in order to support the stadium's structure.
This half pit is currently 20 to 25 feet deep and includes an earthen ramp for use by construction vehicles. The new stadium will not be built into the ground like the current stadium, so this dig is presumably intended to level the ground upon which the stadium will be situated.
The most notable change to date has been the removal of the athletic fields from the Erie Community College South campus. My understanding is that these will relocated to the ECC North campus.
Large mounds of soil have also been built up along the perimeter on the South campus.
🚨 Brand New Football Facility In Orchard Park Opens 🚨
Of course, I'm not referring to the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium. David Janca field, the new home field for Orchard Park Little Loop Football, located exactly one mile from Highmark Stadium, makes its long-awaited debut today!
My guess is that the ceremony will also include a number of prominent current and former Bills players, such as Jim Kelly and Josh Allen, in attendance. Of course, there will also be a full roster of state and local politicians present at the ceremony.
A marker within this area provides a brief history of the Sheldon Family and also indicates that the stadium is built upon the site of a Native American village. The stadium was, in fact, built upon the location of a Wenrohronon village and burial site dating back to the 1600's.
The biggest impact that construction work on the new
@BuffaloBills
stadium will have during the 2023 season will be on tailgating. The current construction zone includes the following tailgating locations: the RV, bus and limo parking lots, Lot 3 and a small portion of Lot 4.