Manitoba

Hwy 280, St. James Street top CAA Manitoba's worst roads so far

Halfway into CAA Manitoba's worst roads campaign, Highway 280 and St. James Street top the list.
Balmoral Street at Cumberland Avenue is one of the roads pictured on the CAA website. (Megan Fiddler/CBC)

Halfway into CAA Manitoba's worst roads campaign, Highway 280 and St. James Street top the list.

CAA launched the campaign two weeks ago in the annual search for the province's most atrocious roads. So far, 3,000 people have cast a vote and listed more than 400 roads.

"Manitoba [Highway] 280, the only road connecting northern communities like Gillam and Split Lake to Thompson, has not only been nominated for this dishonour, it has dethroned long-standing St. James Street in Winnipeg," which is the reigning worst roads since 2013, a CAA news release said.

"Looking at some of the pictures and videos sent to us from Manitobans, it's no wonder why this road is in the top spot," says Angele Young, public and government affairs specialist for CAA Manitoba. "Hundreds of people have joined the conversation about this road and the desperate need to get it fixed, as it is a lifeline for many."

CAA says hundreds or people have shared their stories about the road, including stone chips, washouts and extremely muddy conditions.

"Roads can be voted on for a myriad of issues, including traffic congestion and cycling safety," stated the news release.

There are two weeks left in the campaign, which wraps up April 22. You can vote online through CAA, where you can also view pictures of some of the top contenders.

Current standings: Worst Roads 2015
Rank Road Location
1 Highway 280 Gillam
2 St. James Street Winnipeg
3 Ness Avenue Winnipeg
4 Empress Street Winnipeg
5 1st Street Winkler
6 Pembina Highway Winnipeg
7 Highway 274 Gilbert Plains
8 Scurfield Boulevard Winnipeg
*9 Archibald Street Winnipeg
*9 Highway 450 Deloraine
10 Highway 234 Little Bullhead
*Two-way tie for ninth place