CAA launches 18th annual 'Ontario’s worst roads' campaign

Wednesday marked the annual launch of the CAA Worst Roads Campaign, which is expected to run until April 19th.

The goal of this campaign is to give Ontarians a chance to voice their concerns about the worst roads in their community, covering anything from potholes, delayed traffic lights, crumbling infrastructure, congestion, and anything else making it unsafe for pedestrians, cars, and cyclists.

ONTARIANS ARE URGED TO NOMINATE THEIR SPECIFIED ROAD

Teresa DiFelice, assistant VP of government and community relations at CAA Southwestern Ontario, calls it an effective campaign that works. "Roads do have a lifespan," said Di Felice.

"The roads, concrete and asphalt that we lay has a life span. We've had a tough winter, and winters are very difficult for our roads. Especially this year with the amount of snow we have seen this year, and the in between freeze and thaw cycle. As that thaw is happening, the sun soaks in the water, and we see the potholes left behind."

Di Felice says this campaign is vital to letting various levels of government the status of road infrastructure, where repairs need to happen, where funding needs to go, and what streets need to be prioritised.

John Provenzano, director of marketing and communications at The Ontario Road Association, says that these repairs are vital for communities and safety.

“It is important not only for our safety, but our economy, and even for our environment. If people are having troubles driving or taking different routes or stuck in traffic," said Provenzano.

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ROUGH ROADS CAN COST DRIVERS THOUSANDS

Di Felice also adds that there is a financial aspect as well for drivers.

“People are keeping their cars longer especially right now, as we have a bit of a vehicle shortage on used and new supply, so that vehicle wear and tear, just from driving on regular, poorly maintained roads does have an impact," said Di Felice.

"Your suspension, your shocks, breaks, if you're constantly having to stop and swerve. And then of course there is a situation where if you hit a pothole or road damage it can cost your vehicle from broken bumpers, rims…things can get quite costly for personal pocketbooks.”

Depending on what vehicle and damage, it can run drivers from $300 to $6000 in repairs.

Last year in Toronto, Eglinton East and West made the list, and Di Felice says she wouldn't be surprised if it was on the list this year as well. “While there has been some patches fixed, a lot of that is still under construction at the area where the Eglinton Crosstown Project is being built, so we can continue to see that being a little bit of a pain point," said DiFelice.

(Thumbnail photo credit: Marc Bruxelle/Getty Images)