CAA Worst Roads campaign returns to Ontario

CAA is kicking off its Worst Roads campaign, after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

It’s a dubious distinction, one Burlington St. in Hamilton has won before — once in 2017 and again in 2018.

READ: Hamilton’s Burlington St. E named province’s worst road

CAA is starting its’ WORST ROAD campaign today. The City of Hamilton spent more than $ 3 M dollars to repair Burlington St in 2018 after it won worst road in Ontario 2 years in a row. @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/JIfDjOgTNy

— Sylvie Lendvay (@sylvie_lendvay) March 23, 2021

The city spent over $3 million on road repairs in 2018 and plans to spend millions more over the next six years.

The company says there are a variety of reasons a road gets picked, including potholes, crumbling pavement and poor signage.

Missing or inadequate pedestrian and cycling infrastructure are also factors. They will likely be more important this year as the pandemic has changed people’s transportation habits.

“As people are encouraged to stay home and telework during the pandemic, governments should continue to take advantage of lighter traffic patterns as an opportunity for road repair,” said Raymond Chan, government relations manager CAA SCO.

“These efforts can also be refocused on increasingly popular modes of transportation, such as cycling and walking.”

Nominations can be made online until Apr. 18.

Once voting closes, CAA will release a list of the 10 Worst Roads in Ontario, along with the Worst Roads in regions across the province.