Ewald Friesen

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 (PTH 34) has been named Manitoba’s worst road for the second year in a row, according to the results of the 2026 CAA Worst Roads campaign. The Pembina Valley highway, located west of Winnipeg, has previously appeared on the provincial top ten list seven times, and this is the second consecutive year it has claimed the top spot. Manitobans who nominated PTH 34 did so because of potholes, poor maintenance, and uneven road surfaces. “The roads on this list reflect what Manitobans experience every day,” says Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “Manitobans want roads that are safe, reliable and properly maintained, whether they live in Winnipeg or in a rural community. This year, 711 roads across 69 municipalities were nominated for the top spot. The most common concerns cited were potholes, poor maintenance and uneven road surfaces. “This year’s list shows that road issues are not just a Winnipeg problem or a rural problem, they’re a Manitoba problem,” Friesen said. “There is an even split between rural and urban roads on the provincial list.” Many of the roads identified are major commuter, trade and connector routes relied on by families and businesses. As governments focus on inter-provincial trade, congestion in Winnipeg and critical road safety issues, investments in the roads and highways are more important than ever. “When key routes fall into disrepair, it affects more than just convenience,” Friesen said. “Vehicle repair costs go up, fuel efficiency goes down, and delays increase. That adds pressure to already stretched household budgets and affects our economy.” Repeated nominations often signal that communities want long-term solutions, not temporary fixes. Several roads that have appeared on past lists are now under construction, resurfaced or scheduled for rehabilitation. “We’ve seen that sustained public input makes a difference,” Friesen said. “The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives governments a clear snapshot of where funding and attention are wanted most.” CAA Manitoba is urging provincial and municipal governments to continue prioritizing predictable, year-over-year investment in road maintenance and safety. “Stable funding allows governments to plan ahead, address safety concerns earlier and avoid higher costs later,” Friesen said. “It’s about keeping people safe and keeping Manitoba moving.” Top 10 worst roads in Manitoba for 2026 Provincial Trunk Highway 34 — Central Plains/Pembina Valley Provincial Road 307 — Whiteshell Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90 — Winnipeg Saskatchewan Avenue — Winnipeg Richmond Avenue — Brandon Gateway Road — Winnipeg Leila Avenue — Winnipeg 1st Street — Brandon Provincial Road 422 — Pembina Valley St. Mary’s Road — Winnipeg For more information and historical results, please visit: https://www.caamanitoba.com/advocacy/government-relations/worst-roads

Submitted photo of Saskatchewan Avenue, Winnipeg’s Worst Road in 2025. Manitobans are paying more out of pocket to fix their vehicles as concerns about road conditions continue to grow, according to new survey data released as CAA Manitoba launches its annual CAA Worst Roads Campaign. The survey found 92 per cent of Manitobans are concerned about the state of roads in the province and are spending an average of $944 to repair vehicle damage caused by poor road conditions. This is $122 more than last year, when the average repair cost was $882. As Winnipeg grows and congestion worsens, fixing key trade and connector routes isn’t just about road conditions; it’s about protecting the economy, keeping our city moving, and prioritizing affordability. “Most of the roads people flag as priorities are the same routes our supply chain depends on, they’re how goods get in, out, and across the province,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “With Manitoba’s growing population, especially in Winnipeg, there is a need for improved infrastructure.” At the same time, the rising cost of living has made consumers more mindful of their spending, and people are opting to keep their cars longer rather than buy a new one. Poor roads increase the wear and tear of tires, lead to higher fuel consumption, and increase the risk of other costly repairs. Nearly half of drivers (45 per cent) reported experiencing vehicle damage due to poor road conditions, with potholes cited as the leading cause, accounting for 86 per cent of damage. Most drivers (75 per cent) are paying for repairs out of pocket; 12 per cent filed a claim with Manitoba Public Insurance. Another 14 per cent said they chose not to repair the damage, up six per cent from last year. Despite widespread frustration, the survey suggests most concerns are not reaching decision-makers. It found that 85 per cent of Manitobans commonly complain about road conditions to a spouse, coworker or mechanic rather than to the governments responsible for road maintenance. Manitobans encouraged to nominate roads most in need of repair “The Worst Roads campaign is a proven platform that gives Manitobans a voice and helps governments identify the roads causing the most frustration,” says Friesen. “We know it works because we see governments prioritize budgets and move up road repairs every year after appearing on the list.” Manitobans can nominate any road for issues, including potholes, congestion, faded road markings, poor signage, traffic light timing, and pedestrian or cycling infrastructure. CAA Manitoba is encouraging all road users to participate. Nominations are open at www.caaworstroads.com from March 17 to April 10. Once nominations close, CAA Manitoba will release a list of the top 10 worst roads in the province, along with regional lists. CAA conducted an online survey with 649 CAA Manitoba Members between January 6 to 14, 2026. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/-3 per cent.

New findings from a recent survey conducted by CAA Manitoba (CAA MB) highlight a concerning trend: substance use, particularly cannabis, is on the rise both recreationally and behind the wheel. “Cannabis is more accessible than ever, and that means more Manitobans are not only choosing to drive after consuming it but are also getting behind the wheel soon after and expressing increased confidence in their ability to do so,” says Ewald Friesen, manager, government & community relations for CAA Manitoba. The data shows that 24 per cent of drivers admitted to consuming cannabis before driving, which is up six per cent from last year, while ten per cent of Manitobans reported driving after consuming cannabis in the past few months, a three per cent increase from 2024. Among cannabis-impaired drivers, most (63 per cent) say they drove within three hours of consumption, which is up 10 per cent from last year. Over a third of cannabis-impaired drivers acknowledged feeling high while driving. In addition to the survey conducted by CAA MB, a recent study with funding support from CAA, conducted by the University of Saskatchewan, examined 50 drivers aged 19 to 30 to assess how consuming edible cannabis influences collision risk. This age group of young drivers, identified as having the highest crash rates and a greater tendency toward risky driving behaviour, offers new insights into the impact of cannabis on driving. Drivers often have a false sense of confidence when driving high. This study examined how consuming edible cannabis affects collision risk. Findings indicate that critical driving skills, including reaction time, lane discipline, and speed control, were impaired even shortly after consumption. Contrary to popular belief that cannabis edibles take hours to take effect, this study shows that impairment is evident 90 minutes after consumption. When asked if they felt safe to drive after consuming edibles, only four per cent felt safe getting behind the wheel 90 minutes after eating an edible cannabis product. What is interesting about this is that in a controlled environment, young drivers feel unsafe driving under the influence of cannabis. However, the study conducted by CAA MB shows that drivers often have a false sense of confidence when they have driven high in the past. “This study marks an important first step in understanding how cannabis edibles impact driving performance,” adds says Friesen. “Too often, decisions about whether someone is fit to drive are made in the moment, relying on judgment rather than evidence. Cannabis impairment studies like this are essential. Each one brings new learnings that help us refine our approach and ensure that safety is never left to chance.” According to CAA Manitoba’s data, more drivers have reported feeling confident in their driving ability (77 per cent), which is up ten per cent from 2024. More drivers this year (33 per cent) also say that they are unsure about how much cannabis is needed for effects to kick in, up six per cent from 2024. Alarmingly enough, more than half of Manitobans are unaware that the penalties associated with driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances are the same. “Drivers may face enhanced roadside sanctions, including an administrative penalty of $700, vehicle impoundment, mandatory Ignition Interlock participation for one year, an impaired driver assessment and movement of 10 levels down the Driver Safety Rating scale,” says Friesen. “Depending on the severity of convictions, impaired drivers may be charged further under the Criminal Code of Canada.”  This holiday season, CAA Manitoba is asking that those who do consume cannabis, alcohol or other drugs to plan ahead by making alternate arrangements, such as a designated driver or using a rideshare service, to get home safely.   Methodology CAA MB The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from June 27 to July 14, 2025, with 514 Manitoba drivers aged 19 and older. Based on the sample size of n=514 and with a confidence level of 95 per cent, the margin of error for this research is +/3%.) Methodology of University of Saskatchewan study The study collected extensive data from 50 young adult drivers (aged 19–30), resulting in 250 assessments across multiple realistic driving scenarios using a simulator after consuming a 10mg THC edible.