The April winners and their stories reflect the widespread nature of Michigan’s road crisis:

• Courtney Klaus of Kalamazoo hit a pothole on her way to class at Western Michigan University, which forced her to replace all four tires on her vehicle. She relies on her vehicle every day for school and family responsibilities.
• Malcolm Cohoon of Sault Ste. Marie hit a pothole that was covered with water, disconnecting his vehicle’s rear strut, which led to further damage to the rim and tire.
• Angel Stewart of Flint hit a pothole that she couldn’t see on a highway, instantly destroying one of her tires and leading her to miss a day of work.
• Sherry Crosby of Garden City hit a deep pothole on her way home from dropping of her grandchild, popping two tires on her recently purchased vehicle.
• Jeff Push of Riverview hit a crater-sized pothole on his way to the airport, severely bending and cracking one of his vehicle’s front rims.

Each winner will receive up to $800, the average cost of pothole-related repairs in Michigan, according to the 2024 TRIP Report.

“More than 150 Michigan residents have already submitted Pothole Payback entries, and each story underscores the real and growing cost of Michigan’s deteriorating roads,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association. “These firsthand experiences are a powerful reminder that Michigan needs sustainable, long-term infrastructure funding to protect drivers, improve safety, and strengthen our transportation system for the future.”

Fix MI State’s Pothole Payback contest continues through June, selecting up to five residents each month to receive financial support for pothole-related repairs.

Residents can enter the contest by sharing their story and photos through this form. Full contest rules and eligibility details are available at FixMIState.org/potholepayback.