Gouin Blvd. holds spot on CAA-Quebec’s worst roads list
There’s one thing all Quebecers have in common: their mutual disgust for the province’s roads. It can be physically and emotionally draining for drivers and cyclists to travel on pothole-riddled streets.
CAA-Québec’s third annual inventory of the worst roads in Quebec was published Tuesday, and Montreal’s Gouin Blvd. E. made the top 10 list for another year as motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the province cast 10,000 votes to have their say on la Belle Province’s most user-unfriendly thoroughfares.
Kilmar Rd. in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in the Laurentians took the No. 1 spot, followed by Newton Rd. in Mascouche and the relentlessly unpopular Gouin Blvd.
But even if Gouin Blvd. shared the spotlight near the top of the list, Labrosse Ave. in Pointe-Claire, StCharles Blvd. in Kirkland, Côte St. Luc Rd. and Pie IX Blvd. all received backhanded praise from voters in the regional standings of the list.
“The Worst Roads campaign is much more than a way for road users to let off steam,” says Sophie Gagnon, CAA-Québec’s vice-president, Communications and Public Affairs. “It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real difference. Last year, for example, nine of the 10 roads on our list were subsequently repaired or included in a mediumor long-term roadworks plan.”
For the survey’s third edition, some of the usual suspects from previous editions resurfaced. Kilmar, in the Grenville-sur-la-Rouge municipality, had more than 1,000 votes.
It’s a balanced list. While Quebec City, Montreal and areas around the city racked up four spots, the Laurentians, Mauricie and Gaspésie completed the group. For these three regions, potholes lie at the heart of the complaints.
There is some good news. Plans are in place to improve the ninthranked Traverse de Laval in the Capitale-Nationale region.
CAA-Québec said they will release a summary report in six months outlining any improvement to these roads and/or money set aside to fix them. Until then, Quebecers will have to release their pent-up frustration about their crippling roads through other cathartic means.
1. Kilmar Rd., Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
2. Newton Rd., Mascouche
3. Gouin Blvd. E., Montreal
4. Principale St., Ste-Julie
5. Montée du Bois-Franc, St-Adolphe-d’Howard
6. D’Estimauvile, Québec
7. St-Thomas Rd., Ste-Thècle
8. Brunelle Rd., Carignan
9. Traverse de Laval, Lac-Beauport
10. Route de Portage, La Martre