CAA campaign wants drivers, cyclists, pedestrians to pinpoint 'abysmal' infrastructure

It's time forCAA'sannual worst-roads survey, butthis year the organization is taking a bit of a detour from its regular route: The automobile association is looking for feedback from pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers.

CAAManitoba spokespersonLizKulyksays the intent is to look at the overall conditions and infrastructure for transportation, not just the potholes that infuriate drivers.

"Even though I suspect that whether youride the bus or you ride your bike, potholes are probably your pet peeve, toowe're hoping to spread it out a little bit more," she said.

"The cycling community, through conversations that we've had with them in weeks and months past, they have a lot of thoughts about what we can do to make Winnipeg a better community for people that choose to ride their bike."

This marks the seventh year of the month-long online campaign, whichis being launched this morning.

It isintendedto raise awareness of the poor conditions of roads and now sidewalks in the province, with the results to be released in April and passed along togovernment leaders forreview.

"Involving all these groups is going to help make that voice louder," Kulyk said.

'Safety and health issue'

Connie Newman, executive director of the Manitoba Association of SeniorCentres, says smooth roads and sidewalks are especially important to older people and those with mobility challenges.

She said potholes can cause undue pain for those with hip and knee problems, and uneven sidewalks are at times impassable for those using walkers, wheelchairs and scooters.

"Our population like our road infrastructure is aging and older Manitobans are relying on other modes of transportation more than ever," she said.

"If the bus route I need to take to where I'm going is in disrepair, it isn't just an inconvenience, it's a safety and health issue."

Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg, is glad cyclists will get the chance to weigh in during this year's campaign.

"It's going to be something that we're going to be able to look at and push the city to make improvements," he said.

One of the worst problem spots in the city for cyclists, he says, isthe overpass atPembinaHighway at Stafford Street.

"It's really narrow if you're going through the underpass, the lanes really constrict in on you, and the pavement at the bottom gets really treacherous," he told CBC News. "When you're down there, the cars feel really close, there's a lot of traffic, and it's just scary."

Pinpoint trouble spots

CAA'swebsiteincludes drop-down menus with choices that include everything from crumbling sidewalks to whether cyclists have enough room on the road.Voters canalso pinpoint the locations on a map

"We're asking people to drill down to a specific section. I work outside Empress Street and if you've driven down it lately, you'll know it's in abysmal condition," Kulyksaid. "But now you can choose the section you think needs to be addressed first."

St James Street in Winnipeg was ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in the first four years of the annual campaign but was finally addressed and fell to10thin 2016.

Last year,Highway 239 in Faulkner, just east of Steep Rock, was awarded thecrown, whileHighway 353 in Brookdale, northeast of Brandon, was second, and Dugald Road in Anola was third.