OKEMOS, Mich. While Michigan faces one of the worst pothole seasons in history, drivers are jumping at the chance to locate and photograph the largest, frame-bending pothole among Michigan roads.

The contest, sponsored by the Michigan Transportation Team (MTT), began February 11th and runs through Friday, March 28, 2008. The contest will award three $318 service center scholarships to cover the average cost crumbling and congested roads cost Michigan motorists “ to each of the top three entrants who report the worst potholes.

This year is by far the absolute worst pothole season Michigan has ever seen, said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association and co-chair of the Michigan Transportation Team. Wev received many photos showcasing enormous potholes throughout the state. This contest is proving that there is a large demand for funds to fix Michigan's roads."

The contest is part of an ongoing effort to educate policy-makers and others that the dire condition of Michigan roads and bridges poses both an immediate public safety risk to motorists and represents a roadblock for economic development and job creation in the state.

Contestants can log on to www.drivemi.org to submit a picture of the pothole, its approximate location and contact information by midnight on Friday, March 28th. Participants should pull off the road and use caution in taking pictures of the gaping potholes. The public will be able to vote for which pothole they think is the worst at www.drivemi.org. Winners will be announced the week of April 1st.

Michigan's freeze-thaw cycle, which causes potholes, shows no sign of change, but that doesn't mean the funding for roads should remain the same either,'' Nystrom said. 'We hope that this pothole contest will motivate policy-makers throughout the state to consider the conditions and realize that road reconstruction is desperately needed.

MTT is a broad-based bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens working to improve Michigan's transportation infrastructure. The Drive MI 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. For more information, visit www.drivemi.org.