Barton Street in Hamilton was recently named Ontario’s Worst Road in CAA’s annual campaign, but city officials are aiming to change that.
Major resurfacing work of approximately four kilometres of road between Victoria Avenue North and Kenilworth Avenue North is soon to get underway.
This year marks the third time in recent years the notorious pot-hole riddled stretch in the east end of the city has earned the title of Worst Road in Ontario.
“Safe, reliable roads are important to residents’ daily lives and support businesses, visitors and the movement of goods and people throughout Hamilton. Residents have consistently identified road conditions and infrastructure renewal as key priorities,” said Brian Hollingworth, City of Hamilton director of engineering.
“In response, the city is investing more than $150 million in 2026 in active transportation, growth-related infrastructure, rehabilitation and road resurfacing projects that improve safety, traffic flow and everyday travel across the city,”
Of the approximate $150 million total investment, more than $106 million will be dedicated specifically to renewing and replacing existing roads, bridges and sidewalks as part of the city’s broader $622 million infrastructure program.
Hamilton recently awarded a $3.64 million contract to GIP Paving Inc. for the Barton Street resurfacing projectBarton Street East Road Resurfacing (Victoria Avenue North to Kenilworth Avenue North)StatusAwardValue$3.64MLocationBarton St E, Hamilton ONSectorPublic – CityTypeRoads / HighwaysData as of June 10, 2026View Project Page →.
The work stems from a pothole blitz the city launched in May, which included parts of Barton Street East, but city officials say that wasn’t meant to be a permanent solution.
“This work is intended to improve the pavement surface and drivability until a future full-reconstruction project is initiated in five years. The resurfacing work is expected to begin within the next couple weeks and anticipated completion by the end of summer 2026, pending any unforeseen circumstances or weather-related delays,” said Hollingworth.
One of the objectives of CAA’s annual Worst Roads campaign is to spark dialogue with municipal and provincial governments and prioritize infrastructure improvements.
“The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives Ontarians a voice and helps shine a light on the roads that need attention most,” says Brian Pirvu, government relations consultant for CAA South Central Ontario. “When people speak up, it helps drive action and ensures governments understand where investments are needed to keep communities safe and moving.”
The 2026 list reflects feedback from thousands of Ontarians who experience the province’s roads every day. It is based on nominations submitted by Ontarians and provides decision-makers with a snapshot of public priorities. Roads that appear on the list often receive accelerated attention as governments respond to community feedback.
Road users commonly cited potholes, poor maintenance and uneven surfaces as top concerns affecting safety and mobility.
“Reliable infrastructure isn’t just about convenience; it’s about safety, affordability and quality of life,” says Pirvu. “Investing in roads helps reduce repair costs for drivers and ensures people can get where they need to go safely.”
These are Ontario’s Top 10 Worst Roads for 2026:
- Barton Street East, Hamilton
- Hurontario Street, Mississauga
- Notre Dame Avenue, Greater Sudbury
- Sider Road, Fort Erie
- Steeles Avenue East, Toronto
- Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto
- Panache Lake Road, Greater Sudbury
- Bathurst Street, Toronto
- Unwin Avenue, Toronto
- 6th Line, Innisfil
“People across Ontario have spoken. The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives voice to residents who experience firsthand the impact that deteriorating roads and aging infrastructure have on our lives daily,” added Nadia Todorova, executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario.
