Ballpark Construction Hits a Milestone

WASHINGTON - The structural steel and concrete work on the new Nationals stadium is done, and a "topping out" celebration is set for Wednesday, July 11.

Once this phase of construction is completed, work can begin on a drainage system for the infield. The turf is scheduled to be planted in October.

The steel for the ballpark scoreboard is already being installed, and the first seats started going in at the end of June.

Once it's completed, the new ballpark will seat 41,000 people and hold 90 luxury suites. Officials say the project is on track to receive "green building" certification for its environmentally friendly features.

The stadium is scheduled for completion in April 2008.

Meanwhile, the Nationals will start accepting deposits for new 2008 season ticketholders at 7:30 a.m. Monday, July 16.

According to the Nationals Web site, "Fans who submit a deposit on a season ticket package will establish their seating priority in the new ballpark, based on their date of deposit but behind current season ticket holders and before those who wait until 2008 to purchase seats."

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)