Cast your ballot

Vote for Worst and Best Roads

TORONTO, Aug. 12 /CNW/ - You're driving along, when unexpectedly you feel that familiar jolt after hitting a pothole. Up ahead there's a sea of red brake lights and before you know it, you are stuck in traffic.

Don't just sit there in bumper to bumper traffic on a pothole ridden street, be part of the solution. Vote in CAA's 8^th annual Worst Roads campaign. We want to know the name of that road and others, as well as, bridges and highways in desperate need of repair.

And if you happen to drive along a recently paved, resurfaced road, free of cracks and utility cuts, we want to know the name of that street, too.

For the first time, not only will you be able to nominate the worst roads in your neighbourhood, but you will also be able to cast a ballot for the best roads by clicking on www.caasco.com/worstroads or by becoming a fan of Ontario's Worst Roads at www.facebook.com/worstroads.

"We want to know what a good road looks like in the eyes of our voters. We want to share that information with elected officials and let them know what all of our roads should look like," said Faye Lyons, Government Relations Specialist, CAA South Central Ontario.

Last year, Steeles Avenue topped CAA's list of 20 Worst Roads. This year, Steeles Avenue has undergone major road reconstruction and resurfacing. In 2009, the federal government announced it was providing infrastructure funding to Ontario as part of its economic stimulus plan. In the spring of 2010, construction crews began filling in the pot holes, cracks and utility cuts not only on Steeles Avenue, but also on Finch, Lawrence and Victoria Park Avenues. In fact, 90 per cent of the Top 20 Worst Roads are slated for repairs.

"Almost 10,000 votes were cast in last year's annual campaign and your votes made a difference, but the work is still not done. And now more than ever your votes count. With an upcoming municipal election, there is no better time than now to let your politician know what transportation issues matter to you," added Lyons.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. Visit www.caasco.com.

For further information: Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]; or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]