(Above) A half-sunk barge half-blocks the south branch of the Chicago River last October. (Click on image to view larger version.)

March 19, 2015 – A marine welding company says it has not been paid for its part in salvaging a construction barge that sank on the Chicago River last October and is now owed more than half a million dollars.

Service Welding & Shipbuilding of Lemont, Illinois, southwest of Chicago, is suing the excavating contractor, Roy Strom Excavating & Grading of Maywood, Illinois, west of Chicago. The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court on February 17.

On October 17, 2014, just south of the Lake Street Bridge, the barge was moored at the construction site for 150 North Riverside. Clark Construction Group was loading the barge with clay that was going to be used at the nearby Chicago Riverwalk site. At about 12:35 p.m., a witness heard “a loud snap” and the barge quickly took on water. There were no injuries and, according to the Coast Guard, no reports of any pollution.

According to the complaint, Strom was in charge of salvaging the barge but with it partially blocking the river and pressure mounting from authorities, the company hired Service Welding & Shipbuilding to assist. They brought in equipment and manpower and were able to salvage the barge but despite repeated invoicing, Service Welding & Shipbuilding says it has not been paid.

The barge is currently docked at Service Welding & Shipbuilding’s facilities in Lemont.