CAA names Ottawa’s Carling Avenue fourth-worst road in Ontario

One Ottawa road has cracked this year’s lamentable top 10 worst roads in Ontario, according to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

The CAA’s backgrounder, aptly titled 20 Years of Worst Roads, is described as “a platform for Ontarians to make our roads safer by helping different levels of government understand what roadway improvements are important to citizens and where they need to be made.”

Barton Street East in Hamilton, Ont. was marked as the worst road in 2023; Toronto had the most provincial streets (four) on the top 10 list.

As for The City of Ottawa, Carling Avenue was ranked the fourth worst road in the province. Carling Avenue has frequently appeared on the worst roads list over the past several years, usually taking the top spot for worst road in Ottawa.

The Top 10 CAA Worst Roads in Ontario:

• 1. Barton Street East, Hamilton
• 2. Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto
• 3. County Road 49, Prince Edward County
• 4. Carling Avenue, Ottawa
• 5. Finch Avenue West, Toronto
• 6. Laclie Street, Orillia
• 7. Steeles Avenue East, Toronto
• 8. Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton
• 9. Lakeshore Boulevard East, Toronto
• 10. Hurontario Street, Mississauga

Four new roads have debuted on this year’s top 10 list, including Laclie Street in Orillia, Steeles Avenue East in Toronto, Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton, and Hurontario Street in Mississauga.

The CAA says many of the nominated roads have undergone or are undergoing significant improvements.

Other top 10 worst roads lists shared by the CAA:

Worst Roads by Region:

• Central – Laclie Street, Orillia
• Eastern – County Road 49, Prince Edward County
• Halton-Peel-York-Durham – Hurontario Street, Mississauga
• Niagara – Portage Road, Niagara Falls
• North – Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins
• Southwest – Lauzon Parkway, Windsor
• Western – York Road, Guelph
• Ottawa – Carling Avenue, Ottawa

Top Ottawa CAA Worst Roads over the last 20 years:

• Carling Avenue (2018 – 2023)
• Hunt Club Road (2017)
• Carling Avenue (2009 – 2015)
• Limebank Road (2006 – 2008)
• Carling Avenue (2005)
• Limebank Road (2004)

Top Ontario CAA Worst Roads over the last 20 years:

• Barton Street East, Hamilton (2023 & 2022)
• Victoria Road, Prince Edward County (2021)
• Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto (2019)
• Burlington Street East, Hamilton (2017, 2018)
• County Road 49, Prince Edward County (2016)
• Algonquin Boulevard West, Timmins (2015)
• Dufferin Street, Toronto (2012,2013, 2014)
• Pelican Road, Municipality of Sioux Lookout (2010)
• Steeles Avenue West, Toronto (2008, 2009)
• Vermillion Lake Road, City of Greater Sudbury (2007)
• Cardwell Road, Township of Assiginack (2006)
• Steeles Avenue West, Toronto (2003, 2005)
• Albert Street, Township of Norwich, Oxford County (2004)

Toronto CAA Worst Roads over the last 20 years:

• Eglinton Avenue West (2022 & 2023)
• Eglinton Avenue East (2019, 2021)
• Eglinton Avenue West (2018)
• Dufferin Street (2017)
• Bayview Avenue (2016)
• Dufferin Street (2012 – 2015)
• Lawrence Avenue (2010)
• Steeles Avenue West (2005 – 2009)
• Bathurst Street (2004)

Hamilton CAA Worst Roads over the last 20 years:

• Barton Street East (2019 – 2023)
• Burlington Street East (2009 – 2018)
• Stone Church Road (2008)
• 8th Concession Road West, Flamborough
• Buchanan Street (2005)