Little investment on the worst roads of Quebec

Photo courtesy CAA-Quebec
The worst road in Quebec in last may : the path Kilmar, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge in the Laurentians.

Pierre-Paul Biron

Monday, December 11, 2017 16:33

UPDATE
Monday, December 11, 2017 16:47

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The CAA-Québec and the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) are urging the government to invest in the refurbishment of the local roads, including the ten that are found in the annual list of worst roads in Quebec.

Initiative launched three years ago, the list of the worst roads-CAA-Quebec has always borne fruit in encouraging the rehabilitation of roads named. The results are slow to come this year, while only$ 4.5 Million has been invested over the ten roads since the publication of the ranking.

“It is quite modest this year, confirmed by the spokesperson of the organization Pierre-Olivier Fortin. Only to redo the road, which is at the forefront, the way Kilmar in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, it would be$ 20 Million. “

According to the CAA, the fact that the ten roads to the top are of municipal responsibility explains the little improvement in the course of the year. “Most of them are municipal roads that are in the area. The territory is so large, there is a lot of miles to maintain, and fewer taxpayers to pay. The municipalities will not be able to make it, ” said Mr. Fortin.

Archival Photo Daniel Mallard

The D’estimauville avenue, in the spring of 2017.

Not enough

To give a boost to the municipalities, the government pays each year,$ 87 Million in Program support to the maintenance of the local road network. The problem is that the amount has never been indexed since 1993, according to the FQM.

“If we don’t index for over 20 years, it is sure that a given time, one will eventually have problems. It’s been 15 years that we request the government to enhance this amount, but almost nothing has changed “, laments Richard Lehoux, the president of the Federation.

Urgency of action

The Federation of municipalities and the CAA are urging the government to take action to ensure the sustainability of the regional road network. The two organizations wish that the provincial “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” and invest also in small municipalities. “We are aware that major cities are important, but it should not be at the expense of the municipalities that have to maintain 33 000 km of roads “, complained Richard Lehoux.

The president of the FMQ points out that none of the elected officials concerned no one likes to be in the top or provide roads crumbling to its citizens. He would therefore meet as soon as possible the new minister of Transport André Fortin to settle once and for all the question of the financing of the assistance Program.

The 10 worst roads of Quebec

1. Chemin Kilmar, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge
2. Chemin Newton, Mascouche
3. Gouin Boulevard East, Montreal
4. Rue Principale, Sainte-Julie
5. Rise of the Bois-Franc, Saint-Adolphe-d Howard
6. Avenue D’estimauville, Québec
7. Chemin Saint-Thomas, Sainte-Thècle
8. Chemin Brunelle, Carignan
9. Traverse de Laval, Lac-Beauport
10. Route of the Portage, The pine Marten

Source : CAA-Quebec