Burlington Street East among Ontario's worst roads

Potholes, patches and constant construction.

That's what drivers, cyclists and pedestrians experience on Burlington Street East, and Roberta Trunfio knows it.

"When you're coming over the bridge, there is always construction and it's patched up," she said. "I don't like it. It needs to be fixed."

Trunfio lives on a side street adjacent to the main industrial artery, so she drives it often. And she's not the only one who thinks it's bad.

Burlington Street East was voted the third worst in Ontario in CAA'sWorst Roadsrankings last year, and it will likely make the top 10 again this year.

"Burlington Street East is currently at number six and the campaign has been open for about six days," said John Ennis, government relations for CAA in Southern Ontario. "Mohawk Road West and Parkdale Street North also topped off the top 30."

CAA launched their month-long Worst Roads campaign in Hamilton Tuesday. Anyone can visit the website to vote for the worst roads for driving, cycling or walking.

"We're asking for all road users," Ennis said. "There is a pedestrian and cyclist safety section. We're seeking feedback on what is most commonly considered an issue for bad roads, which is potholes and crumbling pavement. We're also looking for traffic signal timing that's set up improperly, confusing road signage or congestion."

Once the campaign is complete and the votes tabulated at the end of the month, Ennis said, the Ontario Road Builder Association visits each of the top 10 roads and makes recommendations for repair. That information then is passed to the province and the municipalities.

"We're providing feedback from their constituents... what it could do is have some sway as where the road stands in their capital plan," he said.

Gary Moore, the city's director of engineering services, said Hamilton doesn't program repairs and maintenance around the studies done by CAA, but the information is always useful.

"It's not anything that we didn't already know, but it reinforces our own studies," Moore said.

As for Burlington Street East, Moore said it's been on his radar since 2009. A capital construction project along the entire stretch started in 2011. From repairing sewer linings to surface work, about $13 million has gone into the street since the project began, Moore said.

Moore is also quick to mention that there is an infrastructure deficit and repairing some of Ontario's worst roads is a financial challenge.

But that's exactly what CAA hopes to fix. Ennis said dedicated funding fromgas tax could help pay for roads repairs. As it stands, zero dollars from Ontario's gas tax is dedicated to road and highway infrastructure,he said.

"Fixing roads, bridges and highways throughout the province makes up the largest sector of the Ontario infrastructure portfolio, about 45 per cent," Ennis said. "Right now provincially,there is a gas tax at 14.7 cents per litre, and there is still a need for a dedicated fund."

CBC Hamilton is looking to hear from you: what are the worst roads in Hamilton for driving, cycling and walking? Vote below or tweet @CBCHamilton and we'll add your suggestions to the poll.