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Fraser Sinkhole: Final hearing expected to determine if Sterling Heights lawsuit can happen

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The sinkhole that opened up in Fraser nearly one year has been repaired but lingering questions remain about a lawsuit filed by the city of Sterling Heights.

In May, the city of Sterling Heights filed a lawsuit claiming its residents should not have to chip in for the repairs. A final hearing is expected Monday morning.

The interceptor, which collapsed on Dec. 24, 2016, is owned and maintained by the Macomb Interceptor Drainage District (MIDD). Most Macomb County communities are a part of MIDD and pay for it. 

READ: Sterling Heights lawsuit challenges cost, responsibility for Fraser sinkhole fix

DETAILS: 11 communities to foot bill for Fraser sinkhole fix

ORIGINAL REPORT: Forming sinkhole cracks home in Fraser; neighboring homes evacuated

Sterling Heights Mayor Mike Taylor says no residents should have to pay because they already were paying to maintain it, which never happened. 

"Had that work been done, I don't know, it sure seems to me like we wouldn't be in this mess right now. And that's money that the city paid. The rate payers paid to have that line inspected, maintained and repaired, and it wasn't," said Taylor in July.

A final hearing is expected Monday morning to see if the lawsuit can go forward. The city of Sterling Heights is pushing for the MIDD to sue the county for not repairing the interceptor before it collapsed.

Repairs were completed at the Fraser sinkhole site and 15 Mile Road was opened to traffic last week.

You can view the full lawsuit filed in May below.

Sterling Heights Sinkhole Full Court Complaint by Clickon Detroit on Scribd

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About the Authors
Nick Monacelli headshot

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

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