The first deliveries of steel are set to arrive at Bramley-Moore next month with work to erect it expected to begin in weeks.
More than 1,000 tonnes of steel - mainly for use in what will be the north stand - has been manufactured in readiness for the next major step in the multi-million pound project. Huge 'tower cranes' will appear on site ahead of the steel as activity is set to become increasingly visible above the boundaries.
In his latest update on Bramley-Moore, Stadium Development Director Colin Chong detailed how work on 52,888-seater stadium was set to enter its next stage in the coming weeks.
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He said: "Thus far, all the focus has been on filling in the dock to provide firm foundations and preparing the ground works, which have progressed to the stage that we’ve seen the concrete cores emerge in the four corners and grow in size every day. However, next month, the first deliveries of steelwork that form the skeletal structure are expected to arrive on site."
He said the plans remain "firmly on track" and added: "Well over 1,000 tonnes of steel has been manufactured in readiness for the next key stage of the build, and we are on schedule to start erecting steel in June. The steel that we are having produced at the minute is mainly for the north stand, and also raking columns for the south stand, which will eventually appear externally in the final build.
"The manufacturing and installation of this steelwork is a huge, complex job and one that requires an astonishing level of detail and co-ordination. Intricate columns and beams all require individual identification to slot into the overall scheme, and all the items being manufactured are marked with a three-dimensional coordinate, so we know precisely where they fit into the 3D model. Essentially it’s a huge engineering jigsaw puzzle, where pin-point planning, precision and accuracy is essential."
Mr Chong, who recently visited Severfield steel fabricators in Bolton to oversee the manufacture of stadium components, said key parts of the structure will be painted before they are put in place to reduce the need - and risk - to workers.
He also explained the first stairwells have been lifted into place and provided insight into the next landmark following the steelwork, revealing: "For those interested in future milestones, following the installation of the steelworks our next major milestone will be the delivery of the precast terraces. At that point our new home really will begin to take shape."
As the site continues to rise Mr Chong said a "no-fly zone" was in operation over the site but the club was willing to discuss opportunities with supporters and organisations keen to fly drones over the site.
