Crews Have Nearly Raised Sunken Barge From Chicago River
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has made some progress raising a barge that sunk in the Chicago River last month, but it's unclear when it finally will be floating and moving again.
WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports the construction barge sank on Oct. 17 between Randolph and Lake streets.
Coast Guard Lt. Simone Mausz said pumps have been working around the clock to force air into flotation compartments of the barge, which folded in half and sank under the weight of 70 metric tons of clay during a high-rise construction projects on the west bank at Randolph Street.
"Divers were able to do an underwater survey, and they did notice that the bottom plating of the barge is actually intact. So it's not broken in half, it's more hinging along the side," she said.
Mausz said after the barge sunk, only the tips of the bow and stern could be seen above the water. Now, most of the barge has floated to the surface as crews have pumped out water so it can be moved down the river for full repairs.
