A big milestone in the New Highmark Stadium

The final structural beam has been added for the new home of the Buffalo Bills

Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - The final structural beam was placed at the top of Highmark Stadium on Friday as a big milestone in the final stages of the new home for the Buffalo Bills.

Bills owner Terry Pegula along with NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul were there to celebrate the final beam to be placed into the New Highmark Stadium."

I think back about the importance of this community" Goodell said. "I know how much the Bills mean to this community. It's part of the spirit, it's part of the identity, the grit, the hard work, and I really believe this is going to secure this franchise here for decades."

With the stadium nearing its completion, government leaders believe that the New Highmark Stadium will guarantee the Bills staying in Buffalo for another 30 years. Poloncarz added that the stadium will have a huge impact on the community in Western New York and Erie County for years to come.

"What we've done is insure the future of this team for three more decades, and it's something that has had an incredible economic impact on our community." Poloncarz said.

Many of the thousands of men and women working on the home of the Bills were also honored on Friday. Carlo Zavatti, the Interior Superintendent for Highmark stadium said that the stadium is like nothing fans have ever seen.

"The excitement that they're going to see and the full experience as they make their way through the stadium itself is going to be something that is unparalleled." Zavatti said.

The new home for the Bills is on schedule and is expected to be the new to be ready by the 2026 season.