CAA has officially launched its 14th annual Worst Roads Campaign.
The Canadian Automobile Association is inviting residents to cast their votes for the worst roads in their community.
CAA spokesperson Ray Chan (BlackburnNews.com photo by Meghan Bond)
Spokesperson Ray Chan says it's a great opportunity for the public to voice their concerns.
"It's a forum for them to really have their say and let us know what some of their local concerns are during their daily commute," says Chan. "It could be anything from potholes, to traffic congestion, to poor timing of traffic signals and missing or confusing road signs."
He says pedestrians and cyclists are also asked to provide feedback.
"We find in our conversations with the general public a lot of people don't necessarily understand how the government functions, or who they should be contacting for situations like this, so there is an opportunity for them to provide that input," says Chan.
HE says the results will be passed along to all three levels of government.
Sarnia's Waterworks Rd. and Plank Rd. topped the list of worst roads in the southwest region last year.
City Engineer Andre Morin says a lot of work was done to Waterworks Rd., from Michigan to just south of Lakeshore Rd., in 2016.
"Waterworks was our focus last year for our resurfacing money," says Morin. "The main part of what we did was move the ditch away from the road, which was actually causing part of the problem with us to be able to do a proper remediation of that road."
He says plans are underway to completely reconstruct and resurface that stretch of roadway this summer.
As for Plank Rd., City Construction Manager Robert Williams says significant underground work is required.
"We're looking at replacing the water main on it and significant work on the drainage ditches on the west side," says Williams.
He says that job is still in the design stages and isn't expected to be undertaken for another two years.
Ontarians can nominate as many streets as they like, but the CAA says people cannot vote for the same road, bridge or highway twice.
Voting will continue until May 1 at caaworstroads.com.
