Dufferin Street in Toronto is the worst road in Ontario

For two years in a row, Dufferin Street in Toronto has been voted the worst road in Ontario. Over the years, Dufferin Street has made CAA’s Worst Roads Listseven times – not far behind Steeles Avenue which previously earned eight spots on the list.

Half of the roads on the 2013 list are from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). This year, Burlington Avenue East in Hamilton moved up one spot on the list while Finch Avenue West and Bayview Avenue, both in Toronto, jumped five spots.

“Over the course of the month long campaign, CAA received over 10,000 votes from across the province – the most votes to date. While the popularity of the campaign continues to grow, it demonstrates that infrastructure remains a critical issue for Ontarians,” said Faye Lyons, government relations, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO).

Of the roads on the Top 10 List, 90 per cent of the voters complained about crumbling pavement and pothole ridden streets as the reasons for selecting the roads. When it came to Dufferin Street, voters expressed their frustrations about the condition of the road; “Dufferin Street anywhere is a disgrace” and “It’s terrible, pothole after pothole.”

Ontario’s Top 10 Worst Roads:

1. Dufferin Street (Toronto)
2. Burlington Street East (Hamilton)
3. Finch Avenue West (Toronto)
4. Kraft Creek Road (Timmins)
5. Bayview Avenue (Toronto)
6. Lawrence Avenue East (Toronto)
7. Wharncliffe Road South (London)
8. Bouvier Road (Clarence-Rockland)
9. Carling Avenue (Ottawa)
10. Stanley Avenue (Niagara Falls)

CAA SCO has repeatedly called on the province for gas tax fairness through dedicated funding for road, highway and bridge improvements. The subject of dedicated funding has begun at Queen’s Park and CAA is committed to advocating on behalf of our members on this issue.

“Gas tax sharing is needed now to prevent the further deteriorating of our municipal roads and bridges. Predictable and sustainable funding will enable municipalities to better manage their road and bridge assets, thereby helping to minimize the long-term road repair bill,” said Geoff Wilkinson, executive director, Ontario Roads Builders’ Association.

All the roads on the Top 10 List have been verified by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association. CAA will present the list and make recommendations to both the provincial and municipal governments.