It’s the type of contest that newspeople enjoy each year – the Saskatchewan’s Worst Road competition organized by CAA Saskatchewan.
People are encouraged to submit the most troublesome road(s) in their region and then gather public support. If nothing else, it gives the media a chance to think about the roads that we believe are the worst in the province, and then compare them to the final list.
And it gives us ammunition when dealing with government.
It’s a great reminder to governments of which roads are in less than ideal condition and need attention. If a road or highway appears in consecutive years, well, it might be a sign that something really needs to be done.
The contest isn’t perfect. It’s often vague. For example, the one highway in our area that cracked the list so far this year is listed as “Highway 18 Estevan.” At no point does it say whether it’s the portion of Highway 18 that cuts through Estevan, all of which has been resurfaced in the past few years.
But if you were to ask the people who drive Highway 18 from Estevan to Outram on a regular basis about the state of that highway, they would tell you it’s likely one of the worst in the province and should be resurfaced pronto.
We’ve also started to see more and more municipal roads appearing on the list the past few years. Perhaps it’s time for a worst stretch of highway contest, and a worst stretch of road in a city, town or village.
Remember back in 2013, when Souris Avenue North in Estevan from King Street to Wellock Road was in such abysmal shape? It would have been a perfect candidate for worst municipal road in the province. (Fortunately, Souris Avenue North is no longer a punch line).
I think most roads in Estevan are in pretty good shape, certainly far better than they were 10-15 years ago. Yes, there are the troublesome spots. Fifth Street really needs some fresh asphalt, and the roads in the industrial section of the city have long been an issue, one that doesn’t seem to have an easy solution other than pave the roads.
The residential road rehabilitation program that’s slated to start in Estevan this year should go a long way in rectifying some of our more troublesome streets.
Most of our highways are in good shape, too. It’s impossible for all of them to have asphalt in perfect condition, but most have held up well. You can still go 100 kilometres per hour without having to worry about swerving to avoid potholes.
But there are some that need attention. Highway 18 west of Estevan is one of them. Highway 47 north of Estevan is also due for a couple lifts of asphalt. If we see a resurgence in oilfield activity in the southeast, then Highway 47 is going to take a lot of the brunt in the increased activity, and its deterioration will be accelerated.
Still, it’s not as bad as Highway 47 from Stoughton to Highway 1. You could issue a permanent “travel not recommended” declaration for that stretch and nobody would argue.
When the government does resurface Highway 47 from Stoughton to Estevan, three or four sets of passing lanes might be in order due to all of the truck traffic.
The Roche Percee Access Road has long been one of the worst roads in the province, and right now it’s as bad as it’s ever been. It’s not as busy as say, Highway 39 from Estevan to Weyburn, but there is still activity, it’s still provincial jurisdiction, it’s not the stereotypical flat and straight Saskatchewan road, and it is the access point to a tourist attraction, the pierced rock formations near the village, which might have more activity if the road was better.
It’s a tough one for the province to justify resurfacing because the traffic isn’t so abundant, but they have to do something about it soon, because what they’re doing now isn’t working.
There are other highways in the southeast in need of attention, but these are some of the worst culprits.
Regardless, the Worst Roads Contest makes for some interesting discussion and comparisons as we try to jostle to get our roads resurfaced and brought up to an adequate standard.
And it makes for some good jokes regarding who has the worst roads and the biggest potholes.
