Ira Needles Blvd. once again takes #1 spot in CAA worst roads campaign
Posted Jun 4, 2026 05:11:50 AM.
Last Updated Jun 4, 2026 12:18:04 PM.
For yet another year, Ira Needles Boulevard has been named by drivers as the absolutely worst road in Waterloo Region and in western Ontario.
The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) released the results of its 2026 Worst Roads campaign.
Not only was Ira Needles voted as the worst roadway, but Trussler Road, which is the same roadway as Ira Needles south of Highway 7/8, came in as the fourth worst.
In between, in the #2 and #3 spots are Arthur Street South, and Barnswallow Drive, both in Elmira.
York Road in Guelph took the fifth spot.
Brian Pirvu, Government Relations Consultant for CAA South Central Ontario, told 570 NewsRadio that voters described all those roads as being filled with potholes, with uneven pavement, poor road maintenance, and too much traffic congestion.
Pirvu said they run the voting campaign each year as a way to motivate municipalities to do something about road conditions.
He tells 570 NewsRadio he’s happy to see Ira Needles is due to be completely resurfaced this year, and Trussler Road is in line for major reconstruction as well.
Pirvu says York in Guelph is also being rebuilt.
Ira Needles has appeared in the top five worst road lists for the region since 2023.
Arthur Street and Barnswallow Drive debut in 2025.
For Ontario overall this year, Barton Street in Hamilton was voted worst in the province, with several Toronto and Mississauga roadways filling out the top 10 worst.
Related stories
