A sunken barge that has hindered navigation on the Providence River since 2017 has been removed.
Crews working for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the NOAA Marine Debris Program recently completed the removal of the sunken crane-topped barge.
In October 2017, the steel-hulled barge with a mounted crane sank roughly 500 feet offshore in the Providence River.
Officials described it as more than just an eyesore. They said it was a navigational hazard, presented ecological concerns, and limited recreational and economic activities for nearby residents…