Why Ontario’s Worst Roads Put Drivers at Greater Risk
Across Ontario, complaints about rough roads, congestion, and poor infrastructure are more than just idle grumbling; they’re part of a much bigger story about how we move, where we live, and what gets fixed. This year, roads in Waterloo, Guelph, and Elmira landed squarely on CAA’s “Worst Roads in Ontario” list. This report shows that people are growing increasingly frustrated with potholes, crumbling pavement, and outdated infrastructure that has failed to keep pace with modern demands, all of which increase the likelihood of car accidents.
"The Worst Roads campaign has been going on for over 20 years, and the reason why we keep offering it is because people take to it," said Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations at CAA. "It’s really about giving people a say, and people come to the campaign for different reasons to nominate a road."
Why did these roads make the list?
Some roads are nominated because of deep potholes or cracked asphalt. Others are nominated because people are frustrated by traffic congestion, the absence of sidewalks, or hazardous intersections. It’s not just about bad pavement; it’s about the whole experience of using Ontario’s roads. This year, more than 2,400 roads were nominated by residents across 208 municipalities. After the nominations are received, CAA collaborates with a partner group comprising contractors and infrastructure experts to review and analyze the submissions.
Felice said it comes down to a few key things. "Choosing roads for the campaign comes down to potholes and poor road surface," she explained. "But oftentimes, the public nominates roads that cause traffic congestion or have no sidewalks or bike lanes."
That broader view matters. It acknowledges that roads serve everyone, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. When infrastructure fails one group, it often fails them all. Ira Needles Boulevard in Waterloo didn’t just make the list this year. It came in second in the entire western Ontario region, which includes Brant, Huron, Middlesex, Norfolk, Oxford, Perth County, and Waterloo Region.
So what’s the issue? Plenty, according to voters. Felice explained: “People who nominated the road said it had pothole issues, poor road surface, and a lack of bike lanes.”
There are also dozens of roundabouts strung along the stretch of Ira Needles. While roundabouts can improve traffic flow and reduce crash severity, they also bring confusion and complexity, especially when construction or repaving is needed.
What are the most dangerous roads in Ontario?
Some roads consistently appear on the "most dangerous" list, and that’s not a good sign. Here are the most problematic roads in the western region this year:
- Ira Needles Boulevard, Waterloo: For the third year in a row, this busy corridor landed near the top of the list. Residents cited potholes, a rough surface, the lack of bike lanes, and confusion surrounding its many roundabouts. Despite its prominence, the road remains a sore point for commuters, with no clear sign of relief in sight.
- York Road, Guelph: Last year’s top offender slipped to fourth place, but it’s still a major concern. Crumbling pavement and chronic traffic congestion continue to frustrate drivers. York Road has now made the list three years straight, which is a sign that fixes have been slow or superficial.
- Arthur Street South and Barnswallow Drive, Elmira: These two roads tied for fifth place in the western region. The primary complaint is a poor road surface.
Despite their rankings in the western Ontario region, the roads in Waterloo, Guelph, and Elmira didn’t crack the province-wide top 10 list. That list was recently released by CAA and included major urban roads with high traffic volumes and long-standing repair issues, including:
- Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton
- Barton Street East, Hamilton
- County Road 49, Prince Edward County
- Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
- Hurontario Street, Mississauga
- Leveque Road, South Frontenac
- Highway 50, Caledon
- Sider Road, Fort Erie
- Gardiner Expressway, Toronto
- Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto
What happens after the list comes out?
The good news is that the campaign doesn’t end when the list is published. CAA compiles all the data and sends it to municipal and provincial governments, using it to advocate for change. Whether funding will reach the roads that need it most remains to be seen. However, the CAA campaign makes it clear that when enough people raise their voices, it becomes harder for governments to ignore the cracks in the pavement.
Ontario’s roadways are the backbone of its communities, connecting people to work, school, stores, and each other. But when those roads fall into disrepair, it erodes public trust. The CAA Worst Roads campaign offers a straightforward way for people to voice their concerns. As this year’s results show, when enough people call attention to the same roads year after year, it becomes a call to action.
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