Is Manitoba’s worst road in your neighbourhood?
CAA Manitoba and Bike Winnipeg are teaming up to encourage road users – of all kinds – to think about the safety and infrastructure challenges they face on their commutes and vote for the province’s worst roads of 2019.
The criteria for a “worst road”, according to CAA, can include potholes, crumbling pavement, poor signage, limited cycling and walking infrastructure, traffic congestion, and/or limited crossing opportunities.
“Everyone has a role to play in making our roads safer, and that’s why we want to hear from all Manitobans about their concerns,” said CAA Manitoba president Tim Scott.
“Our annual CAA Worst Roads campaign has influenced change for over seven years by taking input and bridging the public’s interest in the state of good repair of our roads and bridges.”
Scott said nearly 75 per cent of CAA Manitoba’s members feel that not enough is being done to repair local roads.
Global News asked some Winnipeggers what roads they thought should be considered as the worst.
“The street I live on is a complete disaster right now … Agnes Street, between Ellice Street and St. Matthews Avenue,” Kevin Fernier said.
- Canadian man dies during Texas Ironman event. His widow wants answers as to why
- ‘Shock and disbelief’ after Manitoba school trustee’s Indigenous comments
- Several baby products have been recalled by Health Canada. Here’s the list
- ‘Sciatica was gone’: hospital performs robot-assisted spinal surgery in Canadian first
Jennifer Fraser said the roads that need the most attention aren’t the most popular and don’t necessarily get the most votes.
“There’s lots in River Heights. Some of the residential streets are pretty bad, you can’t even go down some of those roads,” she said.
From 2012 — 2017, St. James Street around Polo Park was named the worst road in the city. It eventually got fixed and fell off the list, something CAA’s Raymond Chan hopes will encourage the City to devote resources to roads.
“We’ve heard that from our CAA membership, as well as the general public, which is why we run this campaign each and every year to make sure that it’s top of mind with elected officials,” Chan said.
Last year’s ‘Worst Road’ winner was Empress Street. The City says repairs are almost 95 per cent complete and should be finished later this spring.
The City said Fermor Avenue and Archibald Street will also be completed by this summer.
Other 2018 winners, like Higgins and Saskatchewan avenues, are slated for repair, but have not yet had a start date set.
The projects will not be affected by the ongoing construction funding dispute with the province, said the City.
To nominate your choice for Manitoba’s worst road, visit the CAA website before midnight on April 16.
WATCH: Winnipeg holds taxes at 2.33 per cent, lowers road spending by $29M
Comments