CAA-Quebec ’s Worst Roads ranking sets a record with 21,000 votes!
The 2019 Worst Roads in Quebec campaign drew record participation, with 21,000 votes cast from all over Quebec by thousands of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, truckers, and taxi drivers—all crying out for a little love for the province’s most worn-out roads, and ultimately, a safer, more efficient road network.
- See the 2019 ranking of the Worst Roads in Quebec
- See the 2019 ranking of the Worst Roads in each region
While many roads have been repaired after five years of the Worst Roads campaign, there’s still plenty of ground to cover: Half of the 2019 “winners” are recidivist roads that are still marred with cracks and potholes or slated for repair in the near future. To say that some residents have made their impatience with the authorities clear would be an understatement. Take Boulevard Gouin Est in Montreal, for example—the top ranking worst road two years in a row.
CAA-Québec is your voice
“To everyone who took the trouble to vote, let me assure you that you have been heard. CAA-Quebec will relay your concerns, and this record participation validates our involvement and motivates us even more,” said CAA-Quebec’s Vice-President of Communication and Public Affairs, Sophie Gagnon. The government recently ramped up its support for local road maintenance and injected more funds into the road network, to the tune of almost $25 billion over 10 years.[1] “We must keep up the momentum to make up for the maintenance deficit that has developed over the years,” added Ms. Gagnon.
Ranking at a glance
- Nine regions represented in the Top 10
- First time in the ranking for Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean with Rang Saint-Martin in Saguenay
- Regions with the most votes: Laurentians, Montreal, Montérégie, Chaudière-Appalaches
- Fourth nomination for Traverse de Laval in Lac-Beauport
- Third nomination for Boulevard Gouin Est in Montreal and Route 389 in Côte-Nord
- Second nomination for Montée du Bois-Franc in Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard and Chemin Saint-Henri in Mascouche
Residents have something to say—and they’re not shy about saying it!
Employees of a company in Montérégie have had enough of the potholes on Rue Newton in Boucherville. After receiving multiple complaints from employees and delivery people, management encouraged employees to turn out the vote, and the road came out fourth in the ranking as a result. “We wanted to join forces to make things happen and the Worst Roads platform was the best way to get that visibility. When it’s at the point where you have to tell clients visiting your office to watch out for the potholes on the street—that’s bad. Flat tires, damaged wheels, misalignments... The repair bills are starting to add up for our employees and vehicle fleet!” said company management.
“Backing off is not an option”
After making headlines last year for her involvement in the Boulevard Gouin Est campaign in Montreal, Rivière-des-Prairies resident Corinne Tastayre is still trying to drive her point home even though investments have been announced. This time she visited various community gatherings in her neighbourhood to encourage people to vote. “Boulevard Gouin Est could be one of the most beautiful streets in Montreal, but instead we have potholes, utility poles in the middle of the bike path, and accidents waiting to happen. So backing off is not an option. What we want is not just resurfacing, but all the rehabilitation work: foundation, sidewalks, bike path, shoreline stabilization, etc. We’ll believe it when we see it!”
You’ll be hearing from us
The 2019 Worst Roads campaign ran from April 24 to May 24. Ministère des Transports and all the municipalities on the list have been officially notified of the “winners.” In a few months, CAA-Quebec will follow up to see if they’ve repaired the roads or have a game plan to do so, and will release an update. They’ve certainly had fair warning!
About CAA-Quebec
CAA-Quebec is a not-for-profit organization that assists each of its members by providing mobility, travel, insurance, and residential benefits, products, and services.
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[1] Source: 2019–2029 Quebec Infrastructure Plan