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Sterling Heights set to discuss expanding lawsuit, Fraser sinkhole

Posted at 5:49 AM, Jul 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-10 17:19:20-04

The city of Sterling Heights is expanding it’s lawsuit in relation to the Fraser sinkhole, and the costs associated with it.

On Monday afternoon the city’s mayor, city manager and legal counsel hosted a roundtable discussion. The city is alleging that Macomb County officials are blocking a claim against potentially substantial liability insurance that covers some, or all, of the repair costs associated with the 15 Mile Road sewer collapse and sinkhole.

This is not the first legal wrangling over the Fraser sinkhole. Back in May, a judge rejected the city’s request to set aside the city’s multi-million dollar assessment during a lawsuit against the Macomb County Wastewater Disposal District for failing to operate and maintain the sewer line.

That move allowed a $70 million bond sale that will fund the expected costs for repairs, the state is expected to chip in an additional $5 million through a grant, or low-interest loan program.

The site of the sinkhole has been an ongoing flurry of activity dating back to Christmas Eve. That’s when the sewer line began to fail leading to a sinkhole that damaged three homes, two had to be demolished.

Recently new sewer lines have arrived, and work to begin placing that pipe is set to begin on Aug. 1, 2017.