Rating the roads
By Adam Freill
Construction Infrastructure RoadsThe Canadian Automobile Association has kicked off this year’s Worst Roads campaign. Nominations are open in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
The nominations for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign are now open. (CNW Group/CAA South Central Ontario)
The nomination portal for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign is now open. With vehicle damage caused by potholes and poor road maintenance ranging from hundreds of dollars to well into the thousands, the travel organization is once again putting a spotlight on road conditions in regions throughout the country.
“Our research shows that 85 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the state of our roads,” stated Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice-president of government and community relations at CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO).
That figure rises to 96 per cent in Manitoba, reported Ewald Friesen, manager of government relations at CAA Manitoba. “The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives Manitobans a voice in highlighting the roads they believe are in need of repair which provides a valuable snapshot to decision-makers,” he explained.
There is a high cost of vehicle damage that stems from poor road conditions. The average repair in a recent CAA SCO survey was $933, a significant $81 increase from figures reported in 2024. That survey indicated nearly half of respondents had experienced vehicle damage because of poor roads, and 81 per cent paid out-of-pocket to repair their vehicle. Only three per cent filed a claim with their personal auto insurance and nine per cent opted against repairs altogether.
“With the increasing cost of living, many people hold on to their cars for longer when damaged, the last thing they need is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget,” added Di Felice.
Cracked pavement remains the most dominant road-related issue reported in the Ontario survey, cited by 88 per cent of respondents, followed by potholes, at 84 per cent, and congestion at 81 per cent. Congestion was up four per cent from 2024.
“The frustration from motorists is evident,” says Di Felice, “congestion continues to grow as one of the top road-related concerns for Ontarians.”
A similar survey in Manitoba indicated poor road conditions, especially potholes and sunken sewer grates, are causing significant vehicle damage and increasing out-of-pocket repair costs for drivers in that province. Almost half of respondents there paid between $500 to $1,999 to repair vehicle damages associated with road conditions, with the average cost being $882.
“Many Manitobans are experiencing the effects of the rise in the cost of living, including having to delay vehicle repairs. This makes investing in our roads and infrastructure more crucial than ever,” said Friesen.
While the annual campaign casts a negative spotlight on the state of Canada’s roadways, CAA says one of the key beneficial purposes of the annual check-in is to provide governments with insight into needed repairs, allowing them to prioritized projects.
“We know that the campaign works, and that decision-makers are listening. Since the start of the campaign, we have seen budgets prioritized and road repairs moved up,” stated Di Felice, “In the last four campaigns, we have seen 10 roads receive attention because of their nomination in the CAA Worst Roads campaign.”
In Ontario, the CCA’s annual top 10 list of worst roads is verified by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and its members, including the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA).
Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com.
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