Seven of CAA-Quebec ’s top ten worst roads are on the right track
Maintaining our roads
CAA-Quebec is excited to see that the majority of roads singled out in its spring 2018 Worst Roads campaign are at least partially fixed or are undergoing repair. Encouraging results for the 2019 edition!
“The Worst Roads campaign gives road users a strong voice. Our influence is greater when thousands of us join together. Decision makers have no choice but to pay attention. They understand how important it is to listen to the messages sent by their constituents through initiatives such as CAA-Quebec’s Worst Roads campaign. It’s another tool they can use to govern,” said Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Quebec’s Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs.
What can we expect for road maintenance in the 2019 budget?
The maintenance deficit is still far from being resolved. In January, La Presse reported that the overall condition of roads is still deteriorating even though everyone agrees that a robust road system is key to a strong economy. The government is investing heavily in roads: $5 billion in funding over three years was announced last spring along with an additional $50 million per year for the secondary network. But the damage caused by chronic underinvestment is taking a long time to repair. Coalition avenir Québec’s first budget will be an opportunity to send a clear message on rebuilding our aging road network.
“We have seen improvements and that’s good news,” said Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) president Jacques Demers. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we are facing 25 years of underfunding for the maintenance of our local road network. Compared with 1993, the funding gap for local roads is currently $23.6 million. The government should be adding $30 million to repair the local road system to its next budget,” Mr. Demers said.
How are 2018’s top ten worst roads faring?
Only one road has been fully repaired—Chemin de la Réserve in Shawinigan. Four are currently under repair and two will soon be upgraded, for a total of seven roads that are heading in the right direction. As for Route de la Rivière in Grande-Rivière, Chemin de la Rivière-Châteauguay in Ormston, and Traverse de Laval in Lac Beauport, the repairs are too big for the municipalities to tackle alone. They have no choice but to wait for financial aid.
- Boulevard Gouin Est, Montreal: Two years of work planned over an 11 km stretch is slated to start this spring. A major overhaul estimated at $80 million is required.
- Traverse de Laval, Lac-Beauport: Costs almost doubled after the plans and specifications were received. After announcing it would pick up the tab, the municipality went back to the government for financial aid.
- Chemin Saint-Henri, Mascouche: The first phase of repairs is scheduled for this summer, with a second phase on deck for the following summer.
- Chemin de la Rivière-Châteauguay, Ormstown: The municipality is waiting on financial aid from the government because the required investment of at least $5 million is far too high for the town of 3,600 residents.
- Route 389, Côte-Nord: $468 million in work is underway to improve safety and comfort on the 570 km highway. The project is scheduled to take 10 years to complete.
Check the status of work on the five remaining top ten worst roads
The 2019 edition is coming soon!
One thing’s for sure, there are still plenty of worst roads left to repair, and road users can count on CAA-Quebec to continue raising the issue. Keep your eyes peeled, take pictures, and get your signs and stickers ready—The Worst Roads campaign will be back in 2019!
About CAA-Quebec
CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization, provides all of its members with peace of mind by offering them high-quality automotive, travel, residential, and insurance benefits, products, and services.
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