On the same day Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada addressed the city’s pothole issue as a “catastrophe” during a press conference, she encountered the problem herself. In a brief social media video, she stood outside a gas station and shared her experience of hitting two potholes on Notre-Dame Street, resulting in two flat tires. Martinez Ferrada introduced a tow truck operator and expressed her commitment to resolving the pothole problem, stating that solutions are in progress while they await towing assistance.
Martinez Ferrada later mentioned that the incident occurred near Dixon on Notre-Dame Street around 9 p.m. She emphasized her empathy for citizens facing similar situations, highlighting the financial burden and the unprecedented state of the city’s streets. Notably, an increase in pothole reports this January, compared to last year, was reported by the City of Montreal, with a notable surge in 311 calls.
Urban planning and mobility lecturer Pierre Barrieau attributed the spike in potholes to unfavorable weather conditions, including multiple freeze-thaw cycles and significant precipitation leading to deteriorating road conditions. The impact of heavy transport trucks on city streets was also highlighted by Barrieau. Martinez Ferrada and Barrieau explained that due to the cold weather, permanent pothole repairs are challenging in winter, leading to temporary patching solutions that may not last long.
The mayor acknowledged the shortage of equipment hindering repair efforts and cautioned that the situation might worsen before improvements are seen. She emphasized the need for gradual progress, dispelling any notion of an immediate fix. Martinez Ferrada urged motorists to drive cautiously and informed that the city is preparing for permanent repairs in the upcoming spring season. Barrieau stressed the necessity for increased government investment in the road network to address the ongoing road infrastructure challenges.