Pothole payback: How Michiganders can get cash for vehicle repairs

It’s spring in Michigan, which can be a costly time for residents navigating the slew of new potholes.

Luckily for some drivers, there’s an opportunity for financial relief.

The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) is selecting five residents per month, through June, to receive up to $758 for damages caused by Michigan’s poor road conditions.

“Our roads are crumbling, and Michiganders deserve real, lasting solutions,” said MITA Executive Vice President Rob Coppersmith. “While the legislature fails to act, we’re shining a light on this crisis and helping families with car repairs.”

Related: Michigan’s roads ranked 40th in U.S. in new report

Residents can submit their pothole-related vehicle damage photos and a story to the “Pothole Payback” contest, here. MITA will pick up to five entries showing the most severe damage to provide financial assistance for repairs.

In addition to a photo and description of the incident/damage, participants will be asked to share their address, phone number, and a receipt of vehicle repair cost or estimate if available.

One submission is allowed per driver, per month. By entering, participants give MITA permission to use submitted photos and their story on social media and campaign materials.

The association chose $758 because it’s the average cost of vehicle repairs due to poor road conditions, according to a 2024 report from the Washington D.C.-nonprofit TRIP.

Those average costs from driving on Michigan’s rough roads are higher for residents in busier urban communities like Detroit ($1,148), Flint ($1,136), Lansing ($940), and Grand Rapids ($898), according to the TRIP report.

“We know the road industry is doing all they can to fix our roads given current funding and resources,” Coppersmith said in a prepared statement. “The Pothole Payback contest will remind our lawmakers of the depth of our road maintenance problems and the pain drivers face when they receive a new bill for skyrocketing car repair costs.”

Related: With billions spent, is Whitmer’s pledge to ‘fix the damn roads’ a broken promise?

MITA is a statewide construction trade association. Its “Fix MI State” campaign aims to raise awareness of the deteriorating roads and push for action from state leaders to increase funding.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with legislators on both sides of the aisle, have called fixing Michigan’s roads a top priority. Where the sides differ is how to come up with those funds.

Lawmakers are considering a package of bills that would shift more than $3 billion more funding annually to fixing and maintaining Michigan’s roads. The bills passed the House on March 19, and have been sent to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on the contest, visit FixMiState.org, or email questions to [email protected].