Promises made the last couple of years about the new Kyle Field were repeated again Friday.
Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp and project representatives said once again that construction is on time and on budget, there’s enough women’s restrooms, and there will be enough cell phone capacity for texts and photos and social media.
Sharp says the electrical system will be activated May 15, the air conditioning June 15, the installation of the grass field July 1, completion of the westside canopy July 15, and the elevators and escalators will be operating August 15.
Greg McClure of Manhattan-Vaughn Construction says they’re working from south to north along the west side. The first of the three story cluster columns will go up up next week and by the end of May the entire west side seating structure will be in place.
What you won’t see, are the installation of 1,090. Todd Christner of IBM/Corning says that will allow 100,000 wi-fi users on the network at the same time.
Tim Lomax of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute says the chancellor has given $1 million dollars to replace traffic signal controllers around College Station. Lomax also says they’re still looking for a couple of additional locations for the shuttle bus service. The main site of “Get to the Grid” will be at American Momentum Bank at University and Copperfield.
Representatives of Levy Restaurants, in charge of concessions, rolled out food samples for reporters and other guests attending Friday’s update and tour.
Sharp said the redevelopment has taken 2.51 million manhours with only two days off, Christmas 2013 and 2014.
The project has used 29.6 million pounds of structural steel, 992,480 square feet of concrete, 2,112,750 bricks, 1,650 foundation piers, 63,000 square feet of glass, 9,600 gallons of paint, 1,364 doors, 1,255 televisions, and 4,482,000 linear feet of electrical wire.
After last December’s implosion of the former west side of the stadium, Sharp said 6,500 semi loads of debris were hauled away.
Click below for comments during Friday’s update, beginning with comments from John Sharp about the new press box.
