I-76 to close in Sterling Thursday morning for tower demolition - U.S. 138 is the detour

A longtime landmark along Interstate 76 near Sterling is set to come down this week.

Industrial Communications West says it will decommission and demolish a telecommunications tower located in the median of I-76 on Thursday, June 18, weather permitting.

The tower, which was originally licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in 1956 as a relay broadcast tower, has stood for nearly 70 years and rises approximately 700 feet above the surrounding landscape.

Company officials say the demolition has required months of planning and coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation, local emergency responders, engineers, and other project partners to ensure the safety of workers and the public.

To accommodate the controlled demolition, Interstate 76 will be temporarily closed between Exit 125 in Sterling and Exit 149 near Crook during the morning hours. The closure is expected sometime between 6 and 8 a.m. and should last between 30 minutes and one hour. Traffic will be detoured onto U.S. Highway 138, adding an estimated 20 minutes to travel times.

Officials say the tower is expected to collapse in a controlled “pancake” or “S-shaped” pattern designed by engineers.

Industrial Communications West President Jon Becker called the structure a recognizable landmark for generations of travelers and said the project represents countless hours of preparation by crews and partners.

Viaero Wireless Technologies President Frank DiRico described the demolition as bittersweet, saying the tower has long been part of northeastern Colorado’s landscape while also representing the continued evolution of communications infrastructure.

Project crews will remain on-site leading up to the demolition to complete final preparations and safety measures.