Rural roads dominate Worst Roads lists

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Published on Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Submitted article

CAA Manitoba

 CAA Manitoba’s fifth annual Worst Roads campaign closed On April 7 by hitting the highest number of votes cast in their campaign to date and inducting a record six rural roads into the top 10 list of dishonour. 

The campaign was a tight race between the top two rural roads and over 8,800 votes were cast during the four-week drive. The campaign was an opportunity for citizens to raise their voice on infrastructure issues ahead of the provincial election. 

“This has been a record year for Worst Roads and the campaign clearly illustrates that Manitobans believe streets all over the province need some TLC: tender loving construction,” said Mike Mager, president and CEO of CAA Manitoba. “I believe the fact that Worst Roads spurred the provincial government to reconstruct Brandon’s Victoria Avenue back in 2013 helped motivate rural Manitobans to vote for the problem roads in their community. Now, we encourage all Manitobans to vote on April 19 for the political party that they believe best supports a strong investment in Manitoba’s infrastructure and future.” 

More than 660 roads were nominated in Manitoba and for the first time in the campaign’s history, highways in Carman, Brookdale, Goodlands, Boissevain and Gillam bumped long-standing Winnipeg streets from the list. 

Winnipeg City Councillor Janice Lukes, chair of the infrastructure renewal and public works standing policy committee, embraced the feedback from CAA Manitoba’s annual campaign. Lukes noted that the Worst Roads campaign gives Manitobans a voice to express their shared concerns and allows the government to better understand citizens’ priorities. 

Frequently nominated Ness Avenue made the list in the number six spot. A new addition, Liberty Street, ranked in seventh place, while Pembina Highway and St. James Street took the ninth and tenth spots, respectively. 

“For years, Winnipeg routes like St. James Street made our top 10 list - and we’re pleased that this year the last stretch of that road will be reconstructed. We’re slowly making some progress in Winnipeg and across the province, but we still have a long way to go to address traffic congestion, light synchronization and cycling safety.” 

Final Worst Roads 2016 rankings:

1. Main Street South, Carman

2. Manitoba 353, Brookdale 

3. Provincial Road 251, Goodlands

4. Provincial Road 450, Boissevain

5. Main Street North, Carman

6. Ness Avenue, Winnipeg 

7. Liberty Street, Winnipeg 

8. Manitoba 280, Gillam

9. Pembina Highway, Winnipeg

10. St. James Street, Winnipeg