PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The 114-foot barge that sank in the Providence River nearly seven years ago is one step closer to being removed from the water.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) more than $1.5 million to pull the crane-topped barge from the river.

The 150-ton MG Marine Barge sank into the Providence River during a nor’easter in October 2017 and has remained there ever since. It is now completely submerged except for its mounted crane, which sticks out of the water at a 45-degree angle.

The DEM is teaming up with The Steel Yard , a Providence-based industrial arts center, to transform the remnants of the barge into community-informed artwork and amenities.

Those pieces will eventually be on display at a public waterfront access point off of Public Street, near where the sunken barge has sat for several years.

“Finally getting that sunken crane out of the water will be a big deal,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who helped secure the federal funding.

Whitehouse said he’s looking forward to seeing what The Steel Yard can do to “turn the eyesore into public artwork.”

Gov. Dan McKee said the barge’s removal is long overdue.

“I’m excited to see what our state’s talented artists and students create to turn this blight into beauty,” McKee said.

Efforts over the years to remove the barge have been stalled due to lack of funding and potential environmental hazards. Right now, the barge poses no immediate danger and does not hinder commerce in the Port of Providence.

The barge’s owner refused to pay for the removal himself back when it first sank, triggering a legal battle that was ongoing up until his death in early 2019. The DEM attempted to go after his estate to see if he had any money or assets that could be used to pay for the barge’s removal, but he had none.

The DEM said the barge’s crane was briefly home to an osprey nest, but the migratory birds have since sought a new home. (Ospreys are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act , which makes it illegal to move, destroy or disturb an active nest.)

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