Fraser Sinkhole Is Possible To Cause More Issues

Beacon Transcript – The Fraser sinkhole may cause even more issues as local authorities are fearing that it might swallow a trio of houses that have been the most impacted.

This holiday season has been less than festive for some families. A Detroit suburban area has been hit with a sinking situation over this past few days.

Back on Christmas Eve, a sinkhole appeared in Fraser. This is a suburb located around 15 miles north of the downtown Detroit area. It is inhabited by about 14,500 residents.

The Fraser sinkhole is estimated to be about 100 feet wide and 250 feet long. Its sudden appearance has led to a number of protective measures.

Roads leading to the area have been closed. Some of the house in its surrounding area, around two dozen, have been evacuated. This was especially unpleasant seeing as it happened over Christmas.

Local authorities were quick in taking action. They have already initiated a months-long process. Through it, they will be trying to determine the exact causes. They will also be assessing its potential damages and carrying out repairs.

Reports released this Saturday pointed out the most probable cause. This would be a sewer line rupture. The leaking sewer line which runs under 15 Mile is believed to have collapsed.

And officials are afraid that the Fraser sinkhole may lead to more problems. On Wednesday, the damage projections grew as another issue was added.

According to reports, at least three houses will probably be swallowed up. The houses are situated on Eberlein Drive. They have been analyzed by the on-site engineers and authorities.

According to Nichols, most of those involved pointed out their permanent impact. Not only that but at least three of them are expected to sink.

Joe Nichols is the Fraser Mayor. Bob Canon, the Clinton Township supervisor, agreed. He also expressed the potentially inevitable nature of the event. The Eberlein Drive trio oh homes seem to be the most likely to sink. They are amongst the most heavily impacted properties.

The Fraser sinkhole has been raising questions since its formation. Local authorities are working towards solving the issue. Still, there are some that are potentially linking it to another problem.

2004 saw the appearance of another sinkhole. This formed in Sterling Heights.  The situation took tens of millions and some good months to fix. Now, there are wondering whether work on it did not weaken the infrastructure.

As such, there are some that started raising questions. They are asking about maintenance and inspections of the sewage line. Several years ago, Macomb County took over maintenance from the Detroit Water and Sewage Department.

For the moment, repair work has been initiated for the Fraser sinkhole. According to Nichols, the latest news is based on on-site inspections. Nobody would want the three homes to sink. Cannon himself stated his wish that it would not happen.

As one of the houses is the most impacted, its owners have been notified. This will most likely be sucked in or demolished. The other two houses are also at risk.

A decision will have to be made soon. Authorities will have to decide if they will be demolishing the properties. They will also have to continue surveying the area.

A plan will have to be established. This should also allow a return to the houses that have been less impacted or that did not suffer permanent damage. This latter part of the plan is said to be progressing.

At the moment, the evacuated homeowners can return for goods. However, they are not allowed to live inside the houses, at least for now.

The road in between Utica and Hayes has been closed. This precautionary move will continue for the time being. As such, the road will probably remain closed for several months.

As repair works are on-going, it is as yet uncertain when the residents will be allowed back in. Nichols stated that he will continue updating the population.

Fraser sinkhole-related meetings have been scheduled for January 9 and 31. They will be held at the Fraser City Hall. The sewer line has yet to be named as the definite culprit. But as the stabilization work is progressing, they will most probably reach a definite conclusion.

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