2017 Worst Roads Campaign - And the "winners" are...

For the third year in a row, road users have spoken, voting in large numbers to draw up a list of the 10 worst roads in Quebec: the "winner" for 2017 is a stretch of rural road in the Laurentians. Once again, motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians have proved quite eloquently that they are intent on travelling on roads that are in good, safe condition.

Rank	Road	Municipality	Administrative region
1.	Chemin Kilmar*	Grenville-sur-la-Rouge	Laurentides
2.	Chemin Newton	Mascouche	Lanaudière
3.	Boulevard Gouin East*	Montreal	Montreal
4.	Rue Principale	Sainte-Julie	Montérégie
5.	Montée du Bois-Franc*	Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard	Laurentides
6.	Avenue D'Estimauville	Quebec City	Capitale-Nationale
7.	Chemin Saint-Thomas*	Sainte-Thècle	Mauricie
8.	Chemin Brunelle	Carignan	Montérégie
9.	Traverse de Laval*	Lac-Beauport	Capitale-Nationale
10.	Route du Portage	La Martre	Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine

Nearly 10,000 reports

Thousands of reports were posted from early April to early May by motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, all of whom wished to sent a clear message to authorities.

"The Worst Roads campaign is much more than a way for road users to let off steam!" says Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Quebec's Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs. "It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real difference. Last year, for example, 9 of the 10 roads on our list were subsequently repaired or included in a medium- or long-term roadworks plan."

"Repeat offenders"

Clearly, though, in the eyes of many of those who took part in the campaign, that isn't enough. A number of the roads that made the 2017 Top 10 list (those marked with an asterisk in the table) had already rated a mention in 2015 or 2016. The message from voters is, authorities obviously need to pick up the slack. And one is left to wonder why these particular stretches of road remain on the list.

One such case is Chemin Kilmar in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, this year's top finisher, with more than a thousand votes. This road led from start to finish during this year's campaign, thanks to mobilization by users.

Montreal and Quebec City are well represented

No fewer than four of the Top 10 roads are in Montreal and its vicinity. They include Boulevard Gouin East: in this case, one committed citizen practically organized an election campaign to ensure her "favourite" dilapidated artery made the list.

In the Quebec City region, Avenue D'Estimauville and Traverse de Laval were singled out for their "minefields" of potholes. On Traverse de Laval, which connects the municipality of Lac-Beauport with Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, certain measures have already been taken to remedy the situation.

The regions aren't left out

The Laurentides, Gaspésie and Mauricie regions are all represented on this year's "wall of shame." Regional rankings are available for all regions where a significant number of votes was logged.

"You'll be hearing from us"

Each of the cities that placed a stretch of road in the Top 10 has been notified in writing, with multiple follow-ups to be conducted in the months to come. CAA-Quebec plans to make sure that citizens' messages are heard, and will monitor authorities' intentions regarding improvements to be made to the roads on its list.

In 6 months' time, CAA-Quebec will publish a summary report of work done or investments announced, which will reveal whether authorities have in fact been listening to Quebecers. To read what's been happening with top finishers in previous Worst Roads campaigns, go here.

CAA-Quebec conducts this annual campaign as a way to give voice to road users and allow them to express priorities. "With motorists paying some $3 billion per year in taxes of various kinds, we all have the right to roads that are in decent condition. It's a matter of big money, but also a matter of safety," Ms. Gagnon concludes.