CAA Manitoba wants your picks for province's worst roads
4th annual Worst Roads campaign launched on Pembina Highway
Manitoba drivers will once again get to sound off on the province's worst streets, avenues and highways as part of CAA Manitoba's fourth Worst Roads campaign.
The annual online voting campaign aims to raise awareness of the terrible condition of some roads in the province.
CAA picked Pembina Highway as the backdrop for the launch of its month-long campaign.
President and CEO Mike Mager said Pembina Highway in Winnipeg has placed in the top 10 worst roads in the province for the past two years.
CAA says potholes aren’t the only problem plaguing streets and it wants Manitobans to pinpoint roads where infrastructure issues like traffic congestion or pedestrian safety contribute to their frustration.
The drivers' lobby group says more than 15,000 votes have been cast in previous campaigns.
“This campaign isn’t about complaining. It’s about making a difference, and governments are listening. Changes are happening,” said Mager.
An informal survey by CBC News produced a variety of suggestions for Winnipeg's bumpiest and most pothole-pocked roads, including:
- McGillivray Boulevard between Pembina Highway and Waverley Street.
- Plessis Road between Gunn Road and Kildare Avenue.
- Ness Avenue between St. James Street and Ferry Road.
- Victor Street between Ellice and Sargent avenues.
- Scurfield Boulevard between Waverley Street and Kenaston Boulevard.
"I would say St. Matthews [Avenue] is pretty bad. I haven't been there on a while but it's pretty bad," said Georgina Johnson.
"You have to swerve and dodge every hole and you've got a little one in the car."
Over on Victor Street, city crews had just finished patching up some potholes when a CBC News crew arrived on Monday evening.
"I've seen better patching jobs on my walls doing drywall," said Curtis Grout, who lives on the street. "They just need to really fix this road."
St. James Street in Winnipeg was voted the province's worst road in 2012 and again in 2014. Victoria Avenue in Brandon won the dubious distinction in 2013.
- Winnipeg's St. James Street crowned worst road once again (2014)
- Brandon’s Victoria Avenue deemed Manitoba’s worst road (2013)
Manitobans can send in their picks for worst roads from now until Apr. 22 on CAA's Facebook page or by using the CAA app.
They can also send in their photos - but drivers are reminded not to do that while driving.
Manitobans over the age of 14 can vote for as many roads as they wish, but only once per road, and CAA awards weekly prizes.
The City of Winnipeg is expected to rip up almost a kilometre of St. James Street and fix it in the next year. In all, the city will spend just over $103 million on street repairs this year.
25 years of potholes: CBC documents courier's experience
Bob Andrew has been working as a courier in Winnipeg for 25 years.
He says dealing with the potholes all day long is a challenge that not only wears on his vehicle, but takes a physical toll as well.
CBC videojournalist Holly Caruk rode along with him today to find out just what it's like to battle the roads for a living.
