Despite spending millions of dollars on reconstruction work, the state of Laclie Street — at least in the eyes of those who participated in a provincewide CAA poll — is worse than ever.
On Tuesday, CAA released the results of its Worst Roads campaign and Laclie Street, a perennial selection as one of the region’s worst roads, has been named one of Ontario’s worst roads for 2024.
Laclie Street is ranked No. 10 among the worst roads in the province. The worst road, according to CAA, is Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton.
For Central Region — which encompasses Bruce County, Dufferin County, Grey County, Muskoka District Municipality and Simcoe County — Laclie Street was voted as the worst road in the entire region. Three of the other worst roads among the top five are in Barrie.
Laclie Street has been a source of frustration for local drivers and cyclists for years — something the city has long acknowledged.
In fact, earlier this month the second phase of a massive four-phase reconstruction project began.
Phase 2 of the project includes $7.2 million worth of road reconstruction and infrastructure replacement along Laclie Street, between Borland Street and Parkhurst Crescent, including a new water main, sanitary and storm water sewers, new sidewalks, and new traffic signals at the North Street intersection.
Coun. Tim Lauer says the project will bring long-needed improvements to one of the city’s most vital arterial roads.
“There was no doubt about it — it was time to redo it,” said the longtime Ward 4 councillor.
The first phase begin in June of 2023. That $8.6-million project included the reconstruction of Laclie Street from Neywash Street to Borland Street East and the reconstruction of Tecumseth Street from Laclie Street to Centennial Drive.
Residents along Matchedash Street experienced a surge in traffic as that part of the project unfolded, leading to the installation of temporary traffic measures along the road, which will be reinstalled during Phase 2.
Traffic-calming bollard lane reductions have been installed on Jarvis Street, between Laclie and Matchedash streets, as well as on Peter Street.
“Traffic is like water — if it can find an easier way to go … that’s the way they’re going to go,” Lauer said. “In this case, instead of going all the way over to West, they were coming up Matchedash and Peter. That caused a lot of problems and concerns, so we did put in traffic calming last year, and again this year.”
Mayor Don McIsaac called the Laclie Street work a “significant project” that is sorely needed.
“The reconstruction of Laclie Street is a priority for our community and for council,” said McIsaac in a 2023 news release.
“We have heard from our constituents,” he said, noting the four phases of the Laclie Street project will cost about $29 million.
The annual CAA poll invites Ontario drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians to vote in the CAA Worst Roads campaign.
“Over the years, we have heard about potholes, congestion, poor road signs and other safety concerns,” notes a media release from CAA.
“Voting for Ontario's worst roads helps shine the spotlight on where more work is needed. Your feedback helps us continue the dialogue with multiple levels of government to help pave the way for safer roads across Ontario,” notes the release.
--With files from Greg McGrath-Goudie
