Barge sinks while working on Chicago's Riverwalk expansion project

CHICAGO, July 10 (UPI) -- A construction barge working in downtown Chicago sank into the city's eponymous river Thursday morning.

The small equipment barge was working on the Chicago Riverwalk expansion near the LaSalle Street bridge when it began taking on water early Thursday morning. The barge is roughly 100 square feet and is owned by Walsh Construction.

At the time it sank, the barge was located on the perimeter of the river and is not blocking or affecting local boat traffic.

A barge has sunk in the #Chicago River under the LaSalle Street Bridge. @Suntimes pic.twitter.com/mn3zbExAVQ

— Jessica Koscielniak (@photojeskos) July 10, 2014

The Chicago Department of Transportation has not provided details about the barge's cargo but say that any possible fuel or oil spills have been contained from contaminating the river.

Authorities have not yet spoken to what caused the barge to take on water and eventually sink. Walsh Construction has contracted a marine salvage company to retrieve the wreckage.

No one was on board at the time the barge sank.