There could be some new contenders for the Canadian Automobile Association’s Worst Roads campaign this year thanks to brutal winter weather in Ontario that has littered roads across the province with deep potholes.
The annual campaign officially kicks off on Tuesday, inviting Ontario drivers, cyclists, transit riders, and pedestrians to select which roads in the province are in the worst shape.
“Has a poor road caused you to be late for work? Was your bus stuck in traffic? Has a pothole made crossing the street a challenge? Bad roads affect us all,” CAA said on its website.
“Over the years, we have heard about potholes, congestion, poor road signs and other safety concerns. Nominating Ontario’s Worst Roads helps shine the spotlight on where more work is needed.”
Last year, Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton was crowned Ontario’s worst road. Eglinton Avenue West, which was ranked the worst road in Toronto, took the fourth spot on the provincial list.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow previously conceded that unrelenting winter weather has created challenges for the city in keeping up with filling the many potholes that have formed this season.
“There are some outrageously big (potholes). They eat your tire and they wreck your alignment. I personally have seen it, and some of these potholes are gigantic,” Chow previously said.
CTV News Toronto readers previously pointed to a number of problem spots across Toronto that have snarled their daily commute.
As of March 9, the city said they have filled more than 54,000 potholes this year and staff acknowledged it has seen a higher call volumes related to potholes in recent years.
Voting for the Worst Roads campaign, which first launched in 2003, is open until April 17.
With files from CTV News Toronto Alex Arsenych
