The initial phase of the $450M Mercedes-Benz Superdome renovation project is "continuing along on schedule despite the coronavirus pandemic that has shut down most of the city," according to Luke Johnson of NOLA.com. Saints President Dennis Lauscha said "there have been no alterations" to the renovation plan. He added, "It’s full speed ahead. I know (ASM Global) and the state are working hard to continue on the construction of the Superdome. We’ve been fully engaged. We have a handful of consultants that we use. The same is true with the state and (the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District), and I can tell you it’s moving forward." Johnson noted the project is "set to be completed in multiple phases, with the long-term goal of being finished" before the start of the '23 season. The Saints are scheduled to host the Super Bowl in '24. Lauscha: "We are fully moving forward and we totally expect to be ready to go assuming the season begins when it should start" (NOLA.com, 3/30).
WORK CONTINUES: In L.A., Nathan Fenno notes despite a worker at the SoFi Stadium construction site testing positive for COVID-19, an estimated 3,000 people "remain on the job." Some of them "worry that the project could expose them and their families to the virus." Turner-AECOM Hunt, the joint venture overseeing SoFi construction, said that it has "taken steps to keep workers safe." A project spokesperson said that at SoFi, social distancing is "enforced through measures such as barring gatherings of more than 10 people, limiting access to the personnel hoist, suspending or re-sequencing tasks that 'require close contact' and mandating workers keep 'six feet of separation.'" But some stadium workers said that social distancing "wasn’t consistently practiced or enforced." Fenno notes photos from recent days "showed workers congregating or performing tasks in close quarters" (L.A. TIMES, 3/31).
