Barge removal process starting this week, Vancouver officials say
Seven months after an intense storm sent a wayward barge crashing onto the Vancouver shoreline, the process of deconstructing and removing the massive vessel is finally set to begin.
That process will start this week with the installation of safety barriers and fences, paving the way for Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. to begin taking the barge's walls and hulls apart in sections, the City of Vancouver said in a news release.
"All material will be loaded onto support barges and hauled away by sea to a staging area to be processed and recycled," the city said.
The deconstruction and removal is expected to take up to 15 weeks, but officials said the seawall will remain open and there are no traffic impacts expected.
The work will generally take place during the week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the city warned that "periods of noise are expected."
Updates on the removal process will also be posted on English Bay Barge Deconstruction, a website set up by Vancouver Pile Driving.
The barge washed up on Sunset Beach on Nov. 15, 2021, and was grounded on rocks that left the vessel structurally unsound. Initial attempts to tow the barge away in one piece were unsuccessful.
In preparation for the deconstruction, Vancouver Pile Driving undertook structural, environmental and archaeological assessments, according to the city.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada also helped in the planning process, providing advice on avoiding and minimizing impacts to fish and fish habitats during the removal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.