The obstacle course of potholes, raised manhole covers and heavy machinery
There’s some serious construction going on in my area. (What’s the old joke about there being two Canadian seasons? Winter and construction. That is definitely true in the Ottawa area, it seems.)
Roads have been ripped up and repaved, sidewalks have become parking spots for heavy machinery and those ubiquitous orange Detour signs have had a supporting role in my dreams.
My car, sadly, also seems to be suffering. I’m often a bit disillusioned (or naïve?) when I turn down a street that, until recently, had been all gravel and potholes, and notice that it is now seemingly flat, restored pavement. It’s not until the front wheel dips into a slight sinkhole that I see one, and it’s far too late to avoid.
I know it’s not just me. I’ve heard enough tales of wheel rims bending, mufflers cracking and tires puncturing to know that it’s not just me.
In fact, CAA of South Central Ontario is currently having a Worst Roads contest. If you live in this region, you can make your nominations here.
If you don’t live in that area – or even if you do – you can nominate your tales of bad road woes here. While ILSTV cannot do anything to improve the roadways, we can offer a $25 gift certificate to your choice of a number of Canadian retailers to the commenter with the greatest (or worst?) example of local roads gone bad.
Until then, drive safely and watch for sneaky potholes.
-Julie.
Important notes:
- Anyone is free to leave comments about the state of roads in their area, but we can only award one gift certificate and it has to go to a Canadian resident.
- In order to be eligible to win, you have to leave your email address in when responding. It won’t be visible, but I will need it to contact you for information about where to send your prize.
- The winner will be chosen based on the quality of the comment and as judged by three members of the ILSTV staff. If it comes to a tie, a random number generator will decide.
- We’ll choose the winner on September 24, 2010.
Carling Ave in Ottawa is an absolute disaster. The lanes are about half the size of normal ones and they’re ripping out new pavement every time I drive through.
I still think King Edward is by far the worst road in Ottawa. The congestion is so brutal that it seems every time I turn on the news a pedestrian has been hit by some moron coming or going to Quebec. The pavement sucks, the pothole forest sucks and if I see another construction guy doing nothing there…grr!
Hanwell Road in Fredericton is a nightmare, especially near Bishop Drive.
Also recently been in Regina and was amazed how terrible most of the roads were, especially in residential areas.