Postcard from Tuscaloosa: Bryant-Denny Stadium Renovations Appear to be Hitting Home Stretch

With just over 50 days until Alabama's scheduled home opener, the work on the football facilities and Bryant-Denny Stadium appears to be reaching the final stages

We did an update on Bryant-Denny Stadium earlier this week, called This Isn't Your Parents' Bryant-Denny Stadium, but I decided to go back Friday because it's gotten to the point that changes from just a few are really noticeable. 

For one, I was able to get up pretty close to the new tunnel at the end of the Walk of Champions.

Ok, it's a tunnel and you really can't see much in the interior which will be all lit up if they stick to the original plans, but that part of the project appears to be nearly done. There are some more cosmetic things to be wrapped up. Thankfully, few people were there when I was because it felt like being on the sun. 

Christopher Walsh/BamaCentral

Actually, my initial hope was to just get this following shot, but all the activity in front of the stadium along University Blvd. last week was long gone. 

Christopher Walsh/BamaCentral

That's going to look really nice once they get rid of the fence. You might have also noticed that there's now more room to add more championship plaques. 

Heading over to the west side of the stadium there were numerous small cranes being used to work on the support framing (at least that's my guess to what those things are. They kind of look like something out of The Matrix to me). 

Again, compared to just a few days ago one can really see the difference in the ongoing $107 million project, which is due to be finished in time for the scheduled home opener Sept. 12.  

Christopher Walsh/BamaCentral

Over at the football complex, most of the exterior work is done, although a new parking gate was going up in front of the weight room, so you can't drive up the alley between it and Coleman Coliseum any more. 

The outside of the new sports science center has been completed, and a good part of the interior as well, at least from what's visible through the windows.  

Christopher Walsh/BamaCentral

Finally, it appeared that the lobby of the Mal Moore Athletic Facility is still being worked on, but the landscaping is done. Alabama made this side by the parking spots wheelchair accessible.

Christopher Walsh/BamaCentral