Bumpy ride: Barton Street East tops CAA’s worst road list, again

Two Hamilton roads made the list of Ontario's 10 worst, with pothole-plagued Barton Street East crowned worst of the worst for the second year in a row.

CAA announced the annual list on Tuesday, with two Hamilton streets in the top 10.

Since 2003, voters from across Ontario have taken part in the annual survey, gathering road names, locations and issues.

For years, Hamilton's Burlington and Barton streets have been perennial top losers on the lamentable list.

Now, Aberdeen Avenue is tailgating hard.

Barton Street's persistent issues with potholes and severe alligator cracking in the pavement have led to its dubious distinction," CAA reported in a press release.

Barton Street East has been on the list since 2019 and has steadily climbed its way to the top."

Motorists have complained loudly in recent years about pothole pitfalls in Hamilton.

Last year, pothole damage claims were being filed with the city at a record-setting pace by the end of February - and rutted roads were an election issue last fall.

Here are the CAA's top 10 worst roads in Ontario for 2023

1. Barton Street East, Hamilton

2. Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto

3. County Road 49, Prince Edward

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

CAA also broke down the top five worst roads locally. Those include:

1. Barton Street East

2. Aberdeen Avenue

3. Main Street West

4. Burlington Street East

5. Rymal Road East

- With files from Matthew Van Dongen and the Toronto Star

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com