70-Year-Old Structure to Be Removed in Carefully Planned Demolition
Ft. Morgan, Colo. June 15, 2006
Industrial Communications West, LLC (ICW) will decommission and remove a telecommunications tower located in the median of Interstate 76 near Sterling, Colorado, on June 18, weather permitting.
The tower, originally licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in 1956 as a relay broadcast tower, has served the region for nearly seven decades and stands approximately 700 feet tall. The decommissioning marks the end of an important chapter in the history of communications infrastructure in northeastern Colorado.
The demolition has been carefully planned and coordinated with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), local emergency responders, engineering teams, and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of the public and project personnel.
“Projects of this magnitude require months of engineering, planning, and coordination to ensure the safety of the public and our crews,” said Jon Becker, President of Industrial Communications West, LLC and Industrial Tower West, LLC. “This tower has been a recognizable landmark along Interstate 76 for generations. While the demolition itself will last only moments, it represents countless hours of preparation by our team and partners. We are proud to execute the project safely and professionally while preserving an important piece of communications history.”
To safely conduct the demolition, Interstate 76 will be temporarily closed between Exit 125 (Sterling) and Exit 149 (Crook) during the morning hours of June 18. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be detoured via U.S. Highway 138. The closure is expected to occur between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and is anticipated to last approximately 30 minutes to one hour.
Motorists should plan for approximately 20 minutes of additional travel time during the detour period.
The tower is expected to collapse in a controlled “pancake” or “S-shaped” fashion as part of the engineered demolition process. The event represents a rare opportunity to observe the removal of a large-scale communications structure and highlights the expertise required to safely manage critical infrastructure projects.
“Many people have driven past this tower for decades and recognize it as part of the landscape of northeastern Colorado,” said Frank DiRico, President of Viaero Wireless Technologies, Inc., and its subsidiaries. “While it is always bittersweet to see a structure with so much history come down, this project represents progress and the continued evolution of communications infrastructure. We are honored to have played a role in preserving its legacy while preparing for the future.”
Project teams will be on-site throughout the week leading up to the demolition to complete preparatory work, including site preparation, removal of ancillary equipment, and safety measures required for the demolition.
Project Highlights:
• Communications tower originally licensed by the FCC in 1956
• Approximately 700 feet tall
• Located in the median of Interstate 76 near Sterling, CO
• Demolition scheduled for June 18, weather permitting
• Temporary I-76 closure and detour required for public safety
• Extensive coordination with CDOT, local agencies, and emergency responders
Travel Impacts:
• Closure and detour will take place during the morning of June 18, weather permitting
• I-76 traffic will be detoured via U.S. Highway 138 between Exit 125 (Sterling) and Exit 149 (Crook)
• Access to westbound I-76 will also be closed at Exit 134 (Iliff) and Exit 141 (Proctor)
• Drivers should plan for approximately 20 minutes of additional travel time
