LANSING, Mich. – Michigan drivers can win $370 by entering a photo or creative video of Michigan’s most nerve-shattering and frame-bending potholes in the Michigan Transportation Team’s (MTT) fourth annual pothole contest.
The contest was first launched on March 8, and already participants in the pothole contest are sending in pictures from cities across Michigan, including: Lansing, Bay City, Grand Rapids and many more. The general public has the opportunity to vote on the potholes they consider the worst in the state by visiting www.DriveMI.org until April 12 when the contest ends. The MTT will name one or more regional winners. The MTT is also promoting the contest with a new YouTube video.
“We are handing out $370 to the winners because this represents the costs every Michigan driver pays in vehicle repairs and time lost in congestion on Michigan’s poor roads,” said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, and co-chair of the MTT. “We are trying to draw attention Michigan’s worst craters and let residents know they can do something about it!”
The contest is part of an ongoing effort to educate legislators that the dire condition of Michigan’s roads is a serious threat to public safety and a roadblock to business development in the state. MTT is pushing to end legislative inaction and are asking legislators to address the lack of transportation funding that puts Michigan drivers at risk.
For the first time, MTT will be accepting videos as part of the contest. To enter the video portion of the contest, residents must upload their videos to YouTube and then send the link of their video to VideoContest@drivemi.org. To enter the photo portion of the contest, residents must take a picture of the worst pothole-riddled road they can find and upload it to www.DriveMI.org. Full contest details can be found on www.DriveMI.org. Contest winners will be decided on April 12.
“This is just another way to demonstrate to lawmakers we must invest in our transportation system,” Nystrom said. “No excuses – Fix Michigan’s roads Now!”
Michigan residents can also voice their concerns about road funding by calling a toll-free number – 888-719-3087 – set up by MTT. Callers simply enter their five-digit ZIP code to be connected with their legislative offices.
MTT is a broad-based, bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens with the common goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure. The DriveMI campaign is committed to promoting the development and maintenance of a safe, convenient and efficient transportation network that serves the public, private and economic development needs of Michigan. Please visit www.drivemi.org for more information on transportation funding or follow them on Twitter @drivemi or YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/FixMIRoads.
Links: DriveMI 2010 Pothole Contest Entrants: http://drivemi.com/potholes/index_photo.php
Lansing area Pothole: http://drivemi.com/potholes/photo.php?x=71
Bay City area Pothole: http://drivemi.com/potholes/photo.php?x=76
Grand Rapids area Pothole: http://drivemi.com/potholes/photo.php?x=84
DriveMI YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/FixMIRoads
###
Contact: Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, MITA Office: (517) 347-8336 Cell: (517) 896-1493