SASKATOON – As the blanket of snow disappears in March, drivers can see and feel how provincial roads weathered the winter season. The return of spring also means the return of Saskatchewan’s worst roads campaign.
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) Saskatchewan is calling on motorists to identify and nominate the top 10 worst roads in the province.
Its campaign helps shed light on troublesome and even dangerous roadways. People can point out roads for many reasons including massive potholes, poor or non-existent signage and/or factors that make commuting unsafe.
Online voting for the fourth annual campaign starts March 25 and closes April 17.
The worst road of 2014 was Highway 24 by Leoville, Sask.
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CAA acknowledges that repairs are made to the province’s roadways for the safety of all travellers.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure concluded the 2014 construction season by improving 837 kilometres of provincial roads. It says it has a rigorous, evolving process to select which roadways receive funding based on factors such as traffic volume, safety and exports.
The province reads the campaign results and says repairs do overlap.
From previous campaigns: seven roads listed in 2012, six in 2013 and three in 2014 have had work done, according to the ministry Tuesday.
Among the province’s 2014 construction projects is $16.4 million in upgrades to Highway 51. This stretch of road is named twice on CAA’s 2014 and 2012 top 10 lists.
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CAA says there is still work to be done and who better to help identify roads in need of the most attention than motorists who drive on them daily.
A record 4,651 votes were recorded during the campaign last April.
Saskatchewan’s 10 worst roads of 2014:
- Highway 24, Leoville
- Highway 155, La Loche
- Highway 21, Paradise Hill
- Highway 44, Eston
- Highway 51, Major
- Northern Woods and Water Route, Carrot River
- Highway 908, Île-à-la-Crosse
- Highway 918, Patuanak
- Highway 123, Cumberland House
- Highway 51, Kerrobert
In 2013, Highway 123 near Cumberland House, Sask. took the top spot. The ministry said Tuesday crews have raised the grade of the road to help when flooding occurs.
READ MORE: Flood protection being beefed up in Cumberland House, Sask.
Once again, CAA will share results with the appropriate government body. This year’s highway projects are subject to the finalization of the 2015-16 provincial budget which is released Wednesday.
According to the ministry, Saskatchewan’s total road surface is 160,000 kilometres – enough to circle the equator four times.
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