How to have your say on Manitoba’s worst roads

Ewald Friesen (CAA Manitoba) explains how to nominate the province’s worst roads and why drivers are paying more for repairs.

From potholes to bumps to traffic delays, you can have your say on which local roads are in desperate need of improvement.

Last month, CAA Manitoba launched its annual Worst Roads campaign, inviting Manitoba drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to nominate a road in a state of disrepair.

Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba, said though the main complaint tends to be potholes, there are also other issues plaguing Manitoba’s streets.

“Cracks in the pavement, bad sidewalks, crumbling curbs…poorly timed lights,” he said in an interview with Your Morning Winnipeg on Monday.

“There’s a lot of things that can make a bad road.”

Friesen noted the information collected in the campaign, which was launched about 15 years ago, is used as part of CAA’s government advocacy on infrastructure and investments.

He added the Worst Roads initiative helps get problem streets fixed up, which, in turn, helps Manitobans avoid paying for vehicle damage incurred by bad roads.

“The one that we talk about a lot, of course, is 18th Street in Brandon,” he said.

“A couple of years ago it was our number one worst road, and we saw Premier Kinew commit to fixing that road the day of our campaign results reveal.”

Other roads that have seen improvements after being named in the Worst Roads campaign include Highways 12 and 34, as well as sections of Grant and Saskatchewan Avenues.

“We know that the campaign works, but we cannot do it without the help of you,” Friesen said.

The Worst Roads campaign is on until April 10. More information is available online.

• With files from CTV’s Katherine Dow