"This is a big step in our construction process," says Steve Patterson, executive vice president of the Texans. "The truss is the biggest piece of steel that we have put in place. Once we have the trusses in place, we will be ready to put in the retractable part of the roof."

The famed truss weighs 800,000 pounds and is 150 feet long. According to officials, approximately 35% of the two million-sf stadium are complete with 72% of the concrete poured and 69% of the steel tonnage already set. Reliant Stadium will be home to the Texans and is the NFL's first retractable-roof stadium. The stadium will have 69,500 regular seats and 160 luxury suites in addition to spacious club lounges and widened concourses.

Set to commence operations in August 2002, the stadium has already been marked to host Super Bowl XXXVIII in February 2004. This will be the first Super Bowl hosted by Houston since 1974.