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Spring-related potholes have escalated into a political concern in Montreal.

Winter's severity in Montreal consistently poses challenges, yet criticism also arises towards questionable management. Such sentiments surface a few months prior to the city's municipal elections.

,   and  Administrator
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DRIVING IN MONTRÉAL: A NEVER-ENDING OBSTACLE COURSE

Navigating the roads of Montréal comes with its annual challenges, from tackling snow-covered and slippery roads during brutal winter storms to maneuvering around potholes that pop up as spring arrives. Even short trips can transform into an obstacle course.

Tired of the same years, drivers frequently make the same complaint: winter magic has long gone, leaving behind a chaotic scene of damaged infrastructure and deep, gruesome craters. Countless potholes—big and small, shallow, or deep—can be found on a single street stretch. A brief moment of distraction, and it's the poor car that pays the price. And this is why these potholes are the source of so much frustration for Montréalers, sparking daily debates. Within the first year of 2025 alone, the city reported over 4,000 complaints.

This exasperation is reflected on social media as well, with countless drivers posting images of treacherous potholes they must avoid. Some drivers don't hold back, calling the city's streets a "battlefield," while others go as far as comparing them to "a third-world country."

Behind the scenes, Montréal has a number of strategies in place to tackle the pothole problem:

BEYOND THE FRONT LINE

In 2025, Montréal is taking proactive measures to address the issue:

  1. Framework Agreements for Road Maintenance: City hall has awarded contracts for managing and overseeing road resurfacing and infrastructure maintenance programs. Contracts cover services including contract management, on-site supervision, traffic control, and impact management [1].
  2. Comprehensive Road Programs: Montréal has developed plans like the Programme complémentaire de planage-répétition (PCPR) and the Programme de réhabilitation des chaussées par planage-répétition (PRCPR), which aim to add 7 to 12 extra years to a road's lifespan. The Programme de maintien des infrastructures routières (PMIR) focuses on one-off maintenance tasks like repairing bus stops, cycle paths, and any adjacent infrastructure [1].
  3. Pothole Filling Efforts: In 2023, Montréal filled over 109,000 potholes, demonstrating a genuine effort to address the issue. The city continues to receive complaints and is also working on long-term prevention strategies [2].
  4. Infrastructure Budgeting: Municipalities such as Côte Saint-Luc are investing in related infrastructure projects, such as sidewalk repairs and road resurfacing, contributing to overall road conditions through their support of adjacent infrastructure [3].
  5. Climate Change Considerations: There is a growing recognition that climate change affects road conditions, with repetitive freeze-thaw cycles leading to the creation of potholes. This understanding is crucial for developing future strategies [2].

In the pursuit of improving the city's infrastructure, Montréal introduced the Programme de maintien des infrastructures routières (PMIR) in 2025, aiming to complement residential areas and home-and-garden lifestyles by focusing on one-off maintenance tasks like repairing cycle paths and bus stops, ensuring a smoother journey for both cars and pets. Furthermore, completing comprehensive road programs like the Programme complémentaire de planage-répétition (PCPR) and the Programme de réhabilitation des chaussées par planage-répétition (PRCPR) are key, as these initiatives aim to extend a road's lifespan by 7 to 12 additional years, effectively addressing the many potholes scattered across the city streets.

Quebec city endures craters, primarily because of severe winter. Some criticize poor management, with municipal elections approaching.
Quebec City grapples with persistent snow clearing issues, primarily attributed to severe winter conditions, yet some point fingers at inadequate administration, particularly preceding local elections.
Quebec City's streets have been repeatedly marred by winter-induced craters, sparking criticisms. Some residents have pointed fingers at questionable management, a concern escalating as municipal elections approach.

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