It was a good run.
But all good things must come to an end.
Walls of the now-famous English Bay Barge that got stuck on Sunset Beach along the seawall are coming down.
A spokesperson with Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd. (VanPile), the company tasked with removing the big red barge, says a demolition excavator will be lifted onto the barge to remove the bin walls.
"The full process to deconstruct and remove the barge from English Bay will take 12 to 15 weeks," notes the spokesperson.
It was back on Nov. 15, 2021 when the barge washed onto shore during a series of storms.
The barge, which inadvertently became a tourist attraction, has been stuck for more than 263 days.
"The barge removal has been carefully planned in consultation with industry experts, partners and First Nation groups. Hazardous material, archeological and structural assessments have been completed to ensure the sensitive marine environment is protected," says the city in a press release.
Vancouver residents chimed in on the “chilling” barge and voiced their opinions about the removal.
VanPile, as well as a variety of government agencies, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, will be involved in deconstructing the 1,800-ton box.
Efforts will be taken to minimize the impact to fish and the surrounding environment, says the city.
Once the pieces are removed, they will be hauled all the way to a scrapyard near Tacoma, Washington to be recycled.
Work on the barge will have minimal impact to park activities and the seawall will remain open.
"There will be no impacts to traffic or parking in the area."
There is a livestream of the dismantling if you want to watch it from the comfort of your own home.
