LANSING, Mich. – Hundreds of Michigan residents shared their costly and frustrating pothole repair stories as part of Fix MI State’s Pothole Payback contest. From April through June, $8,600 was dispersed among 15 winners for the unexpected expenses caused by Michigan’s deteriorating roads.
Beyond providing direct support, the contest amplified growing demands for the Michigan Senate to finally act on a long-term, equitable, and sustainable road funding solution to reverse decades of chronic underinvestment in Michigan’s infrastructure.
The final five winners and their stories reflect the widespread nature of Michigan’s road crisis:
- Cheryl Lagrone of Dearborn (Senate District 2) was driving near a major intersection and construction zone and hit a pothole that led to replaced tires and eventually the suspension. In State Senator Sylvia Santana’s district, 31.6% of roads are in poor condition.
- La’Kisha Williams of Ypsilanti (Senate District 15) was switching lanes and hit a pothole, damaging her front tires. In State Senator Jeff Irwin’s district, 22.7% of roads are in poor condition.
- Clark Berry of Detroit (Senate District 10) uses his vehicle to transport his family to critical medical appointments, and hit a pothole in snowy weather that resulted in a broken radiator and transmission cooler lines. In State Senator Paul Wojno’s district, 32% of roads are in poor condition.
- PJ Hall of Taylor (Senate District 1) was driving to the grocery store when he hit a huge pothole that damaged both front tires. In State Senator Erika Geiss’s district, 35.9% of roads are in poor condition.
- Elizabeth Driessche of Kalamazoo (Senate District 19) was driving to work and hit a hidden pothole that resulted in multiple flat tires and a damaged alignment. In State Senator Sean McCann’s district, 22.4% of roads are in poor condition.
Each winner received up to $758, the average cost of pothole-related repairs in Michigan, according to the 2024 TRIP Report.
“The purpose of the Pothole Payback contest was to provide support to Michigan residents who drive on rough roads, because Michigan’s leaders aren’t doing anything to help,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association. “As the Michigan Senate continues to delay action on a long-term funding plan, our roads continue to get worse, and costs continue to skyrocket.”
Below is more information about the previous 10 Pothole Payback winners from April and May:
- Jodi Shaw of Portage (Senate District 19) hit a massive pothole on I-94, bending her rims and leading to all four tires needing to be replaced. In State Senator Sean McCann’s district, 22.4% of roads are in poor condition.
- Elena Lee of Brownstown (Senate District 4) was driving to an appointment in downtown Detroit and drove over a huge pothole that destroyed her tires. In State Senator Darrin Camilleri’s district, 28.1% of roads are in poor condition.
- Moustafa Hamed of Dearborn (Senate District 2) drove over a pothole that was covered by snow, ruining his tires and lower bumper. In State Senator Sylvia Santana’s district, 31.6% of roads are in poor condition.
- Cindi Sawtell of Temperance (Senate District 37) hit a crater-sized pothole while driving her elder loved ones home, destroying her rims and leaving them to abandon the vehicle for four days. In State Senator Joe Bellino’s district, 24.2% of roads are in poor condition.
- Fadia Taylor-Cline of Kentwood (Senate District 29) hit potholes driving around Grand Rapids and had to get her vehicle’s ball joint and control arm replaced. In Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks’ district, 31.1% of roads are in poor condition.
- Dequontay Fisher of Flint (Senate District 27) hit two massive potholes on Milbourne Avenue, blowing a strut and bending a rim just turning off his street. In State Senator John Cherry’s district, 31.3% of roads are in poor condition.
- George Mathew of Allen Park (Senate District 1) was driving home after the birth of his daughter when he hit a pothole on an off-ramp, tearing his tire and denting a wheel. In State Senator Erika Geiss’s district, 35.9% of roads are in poor condition.
- Jake Losey of Kentwood (Senate District 29) was one of more than a dozen drivers whose vehicles were damaged by a crater-sized pothole, blowing two tires and denting both wheels. In Senate Majority Leader Brinks’ district, 31.1% of roads are in poor condition.
- Marie Smith of Traverse City (Senate District 37) had her rear shocks and sway bar links taken out by a swath of potholes, despite driving slowly. In State Senator John Damoose’s district, 33% of roads are in poor condition.
- Michael Shine of Detroit (Senate District 3) hit a deep pothole on the Lodge ramp around 2 a.m. and had to abandon his car after discovering he was riding on the rim. In State Senator Mary Cavanagh’s district, 32.5% of roads are in poor condition.
The Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association is a statewide trade association that represents a broad spectrum of heavy construction companies and suppliers that help build a better Michigan from the ground up. For more information, visit thinkmita.org.
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