If you’ve ever thought to yourself that Tecumseh Road East has got to be one of the worst damn roads in the city — you’re not alone.
The arterial road currently has the most local votes in the Canadian Automobile Association’s annual Worst Roads in Ontario campaign.
Caroline Grech of CAA South Central Ontario stands at the corner of Tecumseh Rd. E. and Howard Ave. on April 9, 2015. (Dan Janisse / The Wndsor Star)
“It hasn’t been a specific section. It’s just Tecumseh Road East,” said Caroline Grech, a spokeswoman for CAA South Central Ontario, in Windsor on Thursday.
Every year, CAA South Central Ontario asks motorists to nominate the crummiest road in the province via online poll.
Members of the public can simply visit caaworstroads.com and register their disgust. The 2015 edition of the survey began March 23 and ends April 17.
In terms of the province, Toronto roads tend to draw the most votes due to sheer number of users. Seven of the 10 worst roads at the end of last year’s poll were in Toronto.
But in terms of the region, Tecumseh Road East is leading nominations for worst road. The reason most often cited? Potholes.
“This could use a lot of work,” Grech said as she pointed to the pocked pavement at Tecumseh Road East and Howard Avenue.
“We’re looking for anything that alters your traffic experience. It could be congestion, poor signal timing, confusing road signs — and potholes, of course.”
The cracked surface of Banwell Road is visible on April 9, 2015. (Nick Brancaccio / The Windsor Star)
Coming in second in the region so far this year is Banwell Road.
Third is currently Wyandotte Street East.
“Definitely, wear-and-tear (is a factor),” Grech said. “The high volume, coupled with our harsh winters, the fluctuations in temperature. When we get cold snaps and then it warms up — that actually does damage to the roads.”
Last year, the road that ended up with the most local votes was Riverside Drive East.
Huron Church Road is another past winner — or, more accurately, loser. In 2004, the heavily trafficked border route received so many votes for worst road that it made the provincial Bottom 10 list.
Tecumseh Road East at Jefferson Boulevard in Windsor is shown in this 2008 file photo. (Dan Janisse / The Windsor Star)
But the Worst Roads in Ontario campaign — which is now in its 12th year — isn’t just an opportunity to complain.
The CAA sends each year’s results to the provincial government, in hopes that the naming and shaming will direct repair efforts and encourage investment in infrastructure.
The caaworstroads.com website has a section dedicated to updates on roads that made the Bottom 10 list.
“What we want to see is a permanent, dedicated repair fund for municipalities,” Grech said. “Because municipalities struggle to pay these costs.”
“Every municipality in the province has infrastructure issues.”
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