Inside the construction area of ​​the new Highmark Stadium

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — They call it a “once in a generation” project.

Wednesday, June 5, marks exactly one year since construction crews broke ground on the new home of the Buffalo Bills. On Tuesday, 7 News presenter Jeff Russo took an exclusive tour of the site to see the progress made over the past 12 months.

“It’s really surprising how much has been done,” said Steven Ranalli, president of the Erie County Stadium Corporation.

Ranalli says the bowl was cleaned, the concrete was poured and all the foundations were completed last week. This included 2,000 truckloads of concrete and 19,000 pieces of steel.

450 people work on the stadium every day, Ranalli told Russo. He says that figure is expected to rise to nearly 1,500 in the coming months.

COST OF STADIUM

Reports estimate that the cost of the stadium now stands at $1.7 billion. Ranalli says he suspects the price will be slightly higher, but the Bills are still working on that number with their construction manager.

Public investment for the new stadium is capped at $850 million. This means that the Buffalo Bills’ owners, the Pegulas, will be responsible for any overage.