The True Post (Web News) | By MUHAMMAD AMANULLAH | October 29, 2026
Montreal’s deteriorating roads are once again drawing attention to the city’s road maintenance problems, with a massive pothole on De Lorimier Avenue near the Jacques Cartier Bridge highlighting the scale of the issue. The hole is reportedly large enough for a person to sit in, raising serious questions about the city’s road repair and maintenance system as another harsh Canadian winter approaches.
According to a CityNews report published on October 28, 2026, Montreal authorities received a record number of complaints about potholes last winter. In January alone, residents filed more than 4,200 complaints.
As the city prepares for another winter, residents fear that falling temperatures, snowfall and repeated freezing and thawing will further damage already deteriorating roads.
Residents Fear Vehicle Damage
Montreal residents have expressed concern about the damage potholes and poorly maintained roads can cause to their vehicles.
A resident named John said he was worried about the situation because his vehicle’s front suspension was damaged by a pothole last year.
Another resident, Brian O’Connor, said repeated freezing and thawing during winter would likely lead to even more potholes.
Montreal resident Sophie Carter said she believed road conditions were getting worse every year.
These complaints highlight concerns that inadequate repairs before winter could disrupt traffic, increase vehicle maintenance costs and raise the risk of accidents.
Resident Takes Road Repairs Into His Own Hands
Montreal resident Saad Takiout has gained attention for taking matters into his own hands by filling potholes across the city. Since April 2026, he has been responding to residents’ requests and repairing damaged sections of roads in different neighbourhoods.
Takiout has also met with the mayor to discuss the issue. However, he said there had been little noticeable improvement, leaving him to continue his efforts independently.
He questioned who was ultimately responsible for addressing the problem, adding that if he were given responsibility for the work, he believed he could repair the potholes and improve conditions within a week.
Takiout said the city should establish dedicated road maintenance teams to identify and repair small cracks before winter arrives. Addressing these defects early, he argued, could prevent them from developing into larger and more dangerous potholes.
CityNews contacted the mayor’s office for comment, but no response had been received by the time the report was published.
Experts Say Temporary Repairs Are Not a Lasting Solution
Pierre Barriou, a lecturer in transportation planning in Montreal, agrees that road repairs carried out during winter are often temporary.
He said the city needs to inspect roads regularly from spring through autumn and identify areas where existing cracks could develop into major potholes during the winter months.
According to Barriou, Montreal currently lacks sufficient funding and personnel to repair all damaged roads promptly and effectively.
He warned that failing to address road deterioration at an early stage could lead to higher repair costs and more complicated maintenance work later.
Emergency Repairs Are Also Failing
Takiout said rushed repairs by city crews in various Montreal neighbourhoods have resulted in some newly filled potholes breaking apart again.
He pointed to Saint-Jacques Street as an example, where dangerous potholes have remained a persistent problem.
Barriou explained that severe cold and repeated temperature fluctuations make temporary road repairs difficult to maintain.
He said repairs carried out during periods of repeated freezing and thawing may sometimes fail within 48 to 72 hours, as the cycle can damage the material used to fill potholes.
As a result, repair materials can deteriorate quickly, allowing the same locations to develop potholes again.
Increased Use of Salt on Sidewalks Could Create Additional Problems
Montreal authorities are adjusting their winter preparations to deal with snow and slippery surfaces. The proposed measures include increasing the use of salt on sidewalks.
Barriou said salt can help make pedestrian routes safer, but the resulting water may seep into road surfaces and weaken their foundations.
He added that salt can increase the amount of water present around road infrastructure. Under certain conditions, that water may freeze again, creating additional problems for roads.
He said these potential effects must be considered when planning winter maintenance.
Earlier this month, Montreal also announced plans to allocate $16 million for snow-removal equipment as part of its preparations for winter.
However, experts point out that snow removal and fundamental road repairs are two separate challenges that require different planning and investment strategies.
Decades of Neglect Mean the Crisis Will Not Be Resolved Quickly
Barriou said Montreal’s pothole crisis is not the result of deterioration over just a few years. Instead, it reflects decades of insufficient road maintenance.
According to him, the city has accumulated a substantial backlog of road repairs and maintenance work that cannot be addressed in a short period.
He cautioned that the problem cannot be solved in a week, five years or even ten years, and residents should not expect the pothole crisis to disappear entirely in the near future.
Experts say improving Montreal’s road conditions will require sustained investment, adequate staffing, regular inspections and timely repairs before minor defects become major problems.
With winter approaching, city authorities once again face the challenge of keeping roads safe while developing a long-term maintenance system. Without a more consistent approach, residents may continue to face worsening potholes, vehicle damage and growing concerns about road safety every year.
