These Are the 10 Worst Roads in Ontario

CAA has released its annual list of worst roads in Ontario.

Barton Street — CNW Group/CAA South Central Ontario

Barton Street East in Hamilton has been crowned the worst road in Ontario for the second consecutive year, according to the 2023 CAA Worst Roads campaign. The road’s ongoing problems with potholes and severe alligator cracking have earned it this dubious distinction. Barton Street first made the top 10 list in 2019 and has steadily climbed to the number one spot.

Eglinton Avenue West in Toronto and County Road 49 in Prince Edward County claimed the second and third positions, respectively. These roads have also previously held the undesirable title of the worst road in the province.

This year, four new roads debuted on the provincial top 10 list: Laclie Street in Orillia, Steeles Avenue East in Toronto, Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton, and Hurontario Street in Mississauga. These roads join the ranks of those facing significant challenges and public concerns.

After the voting closed, CAA partnered with Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) to verify and compile a list of the top 10 Worst Roads in Ontario, along with the top five Worst Roads in regions across the province.

The annual list is selected after voting by Ontarians during the “annual CAA Worst Roads campaign.” Some of the biggest complaints from those who participated in the polling were potholes, poor road maintenance, poor cycling infrastructure, and unpaved roads.

Despite the negative rankings, the campaign also celebrates success stories where nominated roads have undergone or are undergoing substantial improvements. These positive outcomes are primarily attributed to the government’s prioritization of infrastructure, with multi-year capital investments making a notable impact on road conditions and addressing public concerns.