For the past 20 years, the CAA Worst Roads campaign invited Ontario drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians to vote for the roads they felt needed the most improvement. The Worst Roads were nominated and the results were released for 2023 … so what’s next?

Well, now the work begins! CAA’s government relations team takes the campaign results and guides infrastructure conversations with elected officials, bureaucrats and their respective staff. The goal is to help inspire decision-makers to prioritize road infrastructure and dedicate funding towards the roads featured on the top 10 and regional lists.

Here are some of the success stories from the Worst Roads you’ve nominated.

Barton Street East, Hamilton.

Additional funding was announced for Hamilton’s Barton Street East after appearing at the top of the list in 2022 and 2023. The City of Hamilton confirmed that a contract has been awarded for a $9-million reconstruction project on Barton St. E. between Parkdale Avenue and Talbot Street. The improvements will include road reconstruction, reconstructed sidewalks, pedestrian crossovers and a multi-use path. The work is projected to finish in 2023 after it was originally scheduled to be completed in 2025. Barton Street (Kenilworth Avenue to Ottawa Street, Sherman Avenue to Ottawa Street) are to be prioritized in the coming years.

Lauzon Parkway, Windsor.

Lauzon Parkway tallied the most votes within the Windsor area. As a response, the City of Windsor announced a 16-month, $8.1 million reconstruction project that would impact most of the parkway that is over 50 years old.

Laclie Street, Orillia.

Laclie Street in Orillia – which debuted on our top 10 list for 2023 – has received commitments from the municipality to increase funding by $878,000 for road improvements.

York Road, Guelph.

York Road took the top spot in the Western Region for 2023. The City of Guelph is currently completing the York Road reconstruction program to expand multimodal transportation and update underground infrastructure relating to water and wastewater. The program is currently in Phase 3 with Phase 4 to be completed in winter 2026.

Read part one and part two of the series to learn about the past Ontario Worst Roads success stories. And don’t forget to participate in the 2024 CAA Worst Roads campaign so we can make Ontario’s roads better for everyone.