Have you faced costly vehicle repairs after driving over a bad stretch of road? Have you had to swerve to avoid a deep pothole and almost ended up in a collision or the ditch? Do you find yourself stuck in traffic because a road is poorly designed or over-crowded? Here’s your chance to do something about it. You’re invited to “vote” for the road in your community or on your commute that you feel is most in need of repair or redesign, as part of the British Columbia Automobile Association’s (BCAA) first ever “Worst Roads” survey.
The survey, which runs until May 24, is open to BCAA Members and other B.C. residents. You can nominate your “worst road” by visiting www.bcaa.com/worstroads, or by completing a ballot at any BCAA location, but are allowed only one vote.
“Roads and highways that are well-designed and well-maintained are critical to our economy, our mobility and our personal safety,” says Trace Acres, BCAA director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. “BCAA’s ‘Worst Roads’ campaign is a way for British Columbians to voice their concern about a particular stretch of roadway, and to draw some attention to the worst examples of deteriorating or unsafe roads.”
Throughout the campaign BCAA will post weekly online updates of the total number of votes cast and which roads are close to taking the title of “B.C.’s Worst Road”. After voting closes, final results will be tallied and a list of the Top 20 “Worst Roads” in B.C. will be published. BCAA will also share detailed results with municipalities and the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure they are aware of drivers’ concerns, and to find out how they are planning to improve B.C.’s problem roads and highways.
“It’s important to note that the ‘Worst Roads’ campaign is not intended to be a criticism of the state of B.C.’s roads generally,” says Acres. “We recognize that a great deal of road work is being done throughout the province. This campaign will shine a light on those roads that may have been overlooked, or help municipalities and the province prioritize future road improvements.”
The BCAA “Worst Roads” survey defines a ‘worst road’ as any piece of paved infrastructure—including a bridge or tunnel—that is in need of repair, has damaging potholes, needs resurfacing, is unsafe and contributes to frequent accidents, or is often heavily congested. Roads that are poorly designed or too narrow for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to share safely also qualify as a ‘worst road’.