This article originally appeared in MLive. Read more here.
The average cost of vehicle repairs due to poor road conditions is $800, according to the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA).
To raise awareness and push for action from state leaders, the industry group is again paying the repair bill for up to five residents per month through June. It’s the second year of the cash payback program.
Residents are invited to submit their story and photos of pothole-related vehicle damage via the Fix MI State website. MITA will pick a handful of the most severe damages to highlight publicly, and reimburse the drivers up to $800.
“While historic progress was made in 2025 on road funding, Michigan still has a long way to go before residents can stop worrying about crumbling roads, and our leaders must stay committed to finishing the job,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of MITA, in a statement.
“Michigan faces a decades-old problem that isn’t going to be fixed overnight. Our roads are crumbling, and Michiganders deserve real, lasting solutions. While the state still faces an enormous funding gap, we’re continuing to shine a light on this ongoing crisis while helping families with car repairs.”
Coppersmith said road funding progress made in 2025 should be recognized. Lawmakers agreed to budget changes for Fiscal Year 2026 that would direct $1.1 billion in new revenue to the transportation budget.
New funding will come from a shift in tax dollars paid at the fuel pump, a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, and a shift of Corporate Income Tax revenue. In future years, the changes could amount to more than $1.8 billion annually for roads, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.
Still, Coppersmith said the state faces a multi-billion-dollar annual funding need that has not been fully addressed.
“The Pothole Payback contest will remind our lawmakers that the depth of our road maintenance problems and the pain drivers face haven’t gone away,” he said. “Skyrocketing car repair costs are still hitting families every single day.”
One submission is allowed per driver, per month. In addition to describing the pothole incident and providing proof of damage, applicants will be asked to provide their name, email, phone number and address, as well as a receipt for their paid repairs.
MITA started the payback program last year and quickly received hundreds of entries. Throughout the spring, the association shared some of the driver experiences as a means to press lawmakers to prioritize road funding.
More information about this year’s giveaway can be found at fixmistate.org.