BUCHANAN - Voters have spoken, and Hwy No. 5 Buchanan has earned the title of Worst Road in Saskatchewan, after getting close and finishing in the top five in the previous three years, according to a CAA release.
Buchanan is part of the Canora-Pelly riding, and MLA Sean Wilson says it’s important for the provincial government to take note of the results of CAA’s Worst Roads campaign.
“Our government recognizes the importance of continuous repairs and improvements to our transportation system for the safety,” said Wilson, “and I can appreciate residents took the time to vote in the survey. Saskatchewan has over 26,000 kilometres of highways that it maintains. Last year, $320,000 was invested in maintenance for Highway No. 5 and with spring now here, officials will assess the maintenance work that needs to be done across the province, including Highway No. 5.
“We appreciate the work of the CAA Worst Road campaign,” added Wilson. “It is a useful tool to identify the roads around the province and in our area that may need attention.”
Saskatchewan road users including pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, transit riders and motorcyclists, have nominated and voted for their worst, unsafe roads. The common safety concerns for worst, unsafe roads are crumbling pavement, potholes, lack of maintenance or repair, congestion, not enough signage, and poor infrastructure.
Here is the final order of finish for the CAA 2025 Top Ten Worst Roads:
1). Saskatchewan No. 5 Buchanan:
Major problem: Poor Road Maintenance (#2 in 2024 CAA Worst Roads, #4 in 2023 and #5 in 2022)
2). Saskatchewan No. 339, Avonlea:
Major problem: Potholes
3). Saskatchewan No. 4, Dorintosh:
Major problem: Potholes (#1 in 2021 CAA Worst Roads)
4). Fifth Avenue Northwest, Moose Jaw:
Major problem: Potholes (#5 in 2022 CAA Worst Roads)
5). Saskatchewan No. 2, Cudworth:
Major problem: Potholes (#3 in 2024 CAA Worst Roads)
6). Saskatchewan No. 47, Springside:
Major problem: Potholes (#8 in 2024 CAA Worst Roads and #2 in 2022)
7). Saskatchewan No. 102, La Ronge:
Major problem: Potholes
8). Saskatchewan No. 123 Petaigan/Ravendale/Pemmican Portage:
Major problem: Potholes (#8 in 2023 CAA Worst Roads)
9). Tie - 13th Avenue Northwest, Moose Jaw:
Major problem: Potholes (#9 in 2024 CAA Worst Roads and #4 in 2019); and
9). Coteau Street West, Moose Jaw:
Major problem: Potholes (#3 in 2023 CAA Worst Roads)
10). Tie - Saskatchewan No. 35, Weyburn:
Major problem: Potholes (#10 in 2021 CAA Worst Roads); and
10), Warman Road, Saskatoon:
Major problem: Potholes
A total of 1,299 roads were nominated and voted on during this year’s CAA Worst Roads campaign.
Most (but not all) of the top ten list includes roads and highways from across the province that have made CAA’s Worst Roads Top Ten list in previous years.
The collection of roads nominated and voted on during this year’s campaign does indicate that Saskatchewan road users are concerned about their safety while travelling on our roads and highways, with this year’s top ten list indicating the roads that received the majority of the votes.
Weather conditions, age of the roads, heavy traffic, and lack of maintenance can cause road deterioration. In cold climates like Saskatchewan, the freeze-thaw cycle plays a key role in creating potholes – a problem that occurs when temperatures regularly go above and below the freezing point. When rain or snow seeps through cracks and openings in the pavement, it freezes and expands, causing the pavement to heave upward. As temperatures rise, the ground underneath the pavement returns to its normal level, leaving a cavity or hole that breaks apart with continued traffic by road users over the fractured pavement.
Saskatchewan is a landlocked province and has almost 250,000 km of roads, the highest length of road surface compared to any other province in Canada. These roads, often a lifeline for many residents, are used regularly for business and leisure road travel, and when these roads deteriorate, road users pay the price.
CAA Saskatchewan is a safety advocate, and the CAA Worst Roads online engagement campaign is aimed at drawing attention to our province’s worst, unsafe roads. This year’s top ten list of worst roads will be distributed to government and business leaders in hopes of sparking conversation and action.
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you. Keep your news a touch away by bookmarking Canora Courier's homepage at this link.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
