As work escalates on Reliant Stadium, so does our coverage. HoustonTexans.com will now post construction photos every two weeks.
This Monday will mark an historic milestone in this two-plus-year project. The Texans and RodeoHouston will hold a topping out ceremony. Key dignitaries, including Texans founder Bob McNair, will sign a cement bucket that will be raised 27 stories for the final cement pour on the highest cast-in place.
Following a tradition dating back to Viking times, a tree will then be planted at the top of the structure to symbolize good luck for future occupants.
Nearly all of the total elevated deck (1,076,430 square feet) has been poured. All four supercolumn lifts have been completed. The north box truss erection, which began June 30, is now completed, save for some detailing. The north end zone fixed tri-chord pre-assembly work is ongoing and erection should begin this week.
The Quadrant A and D barrel trusses and roof metal deck have both been completed, paving the way for the current roofing. The north end zone mechanical room structural steel floor slab and roof erection is nearly complete. The west press/mechanical structural steel erection has just started.
The Quadrant A and D pedestrian ramp structural steel erection is done. Ramp handrails in Quadrant A are completed, while the rails in Quadrant D are still being worked on.
The Quadrant A and D west elevation exterior facade metal studs, sheathing and curtainwall is ongoing. Meanwhile, the metal sub-roof and drywall for all four quadrants has started.
There are currently more than 1,065 workers on the site.
Right outside of the Reliant Stadium construction site on Fannin Street, progress is being made on the light rail system construction. The rail lines will be completed in May 2002 and the entire system is scheduled to be in operation in February 2004, just in time for Houston to host Super Bowl XXXVIII.
