FRASER, Mich. – The demolition of homes damaged by the collapse of a major sewer interceptor along 15 Mile Road in Macomb County will begin Friday morning.
You can get a live look at the Fraser sinkhole site in the stream posted above. The Fraser sinkhole live cam also is available here -- demolition is expected to begin Friday morning.
The demolition of the homes represents a major turning point in the recovery process at the site in Fraser, said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller.
"Demolition of these homes is the beginning of the process to replace the damaged interceptor and repair the sewer line," Miller said. "The work done to this point has primarily been about creating a long-term bypass system to allow sewage to flow around the damaged interceptor, while ensuring that we do so in a way that is safe for people and for the environment.
"I cannot speak highly enough of the work that has been done at the site of the interceptor collapse, without stop, since the sinkhole first developed on Christmas Eve day."
Three homes near the sinkhole have been condemned. Two are being demolished on Friday.
"Our most heartfelt sympathies go out to these impacted families. We cannot imagine the emotions and the challenges they’ve had to work through since this all began. What’s amazing is just how composed they have been through all of this. These families really exemplify who we are and who we aspire to be in Macomb County," Miller said.
Work for the demolition and acquisition of the condemned properties is being funded by a $99,999 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Next week, construction crews will begin to dig out a shaft, approximately 300 feet long by 25 feet wide and 60 feet deep, to allow for the replacement and repair of the collapsed 11-foot diameter interceptor. The repair work is expected to wrap up in September, with full completion of the job -- including the repaving of 15 Mile Road -- expected by Thanksgiving.
Demolition of the two homes is expected to take a couple of days each.
What happened
Crews have been working around the clock since the drain interceptor collapsed Dec. 24 beneath a neighborhood along 15 Mile Road near Utica Road. The collapse forced families from their homes and eventually sent sewage into the Clinton River.
The sinkhole showed its first signs of the impending environmental damage to follow on Christmas Eve when the Albu family began hearing cracking noises from the foundation of their home.
The situation unfolded during a 911 call made by the Albu's: “Uh, yeah, I think our house is going to fall. I'm sorry?"
"What do you mean you think your house is going to fall,” the dispatcher replies.
First signs of trouble
Elizabeth Marentette grew up in what’s left of her home in Fraser. The home is in a neighborhood where she and 21 other families were given only minutes to evacuate.
The next day, it was determined that an 11-foot sewage pipe cracked and was leaking raw sewage underneath the Fraser neighborhood.
Here's a short video explaining the collapse of the pipe:
MORE: 11 communities to foot bill for Fraser sinkhole fix
The fix for the interceptor is reportedly around $80 million.
Watch "Fraser sinkhole: The ticking time bomb of Macomb County" here: