Manitobans now able to nominate the worst roads in the province

CAA Manitoba wants you to share your opinion on the worst roads in the province.

Another year has come for Manitobans to nominate the worst roads in the province.

CAA Manitoba launched its Worst Roads Campaign Tuesday, giving people the opportunity to vote on what they feel are the worst places to drive in the province.

People can nominate roads based on any issue, from potholes to the timing of traffic lights.

People can submit a nomination online between March 17 and April 10. After that, CAA will release their annual top 10 worst roads in Manitoba.

“The Worst Roads campaign is a proven platform that gives Manitobans a voice and helps governments identify the roads causing the most frustration,” said Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations with CAA, in a news release. “We know it works because we see governments prioritize budgets and move up road repairs every year after appearing on the list.”

The campaign launch comes as CAA released new data showing 92 per cent of Manitobans are concerned about the roads throughout the province.

CAA polled 649 CAA Manitoba members between Jan. 6 and 14 and found they are spending an average of $944 to repair their vehicles due to road conditions. CAA Manitoba said that it is up $122 compared to last year.

“Most of the roads people flag as priorities are the same routes our supply chain depends on, they’re how goods get in, out, and across the province,” said Friesen. “With Manitoba’s growing population, especially in Winnipeg, there is a need for improved infrastructure.”

Around 45 per cent of drivers said their vehicle has been damaged by the roads. Potholes are the main cause for the damage, according to the survey, at 86 per cent.

Also, the survey found the majority of people are paying for any repairs out of pocket at 75 per cent, compared to just 12 per cent filing a claim with MPI and 14 per cent are just not getting their vehicle fixed.

CAA Manitoba’s survey has a margin of error of +/- three per cent.