The Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria have announced the "Bumpiest Road in Greater Victoria", and Central Saanich is getting the award.
The two kilometre stretch of Benvenuto Avenue, between Wallace Drive and the Butchart Gardens, is the so-called winner.
Chair of the Grumpy Taxpayer$, Stan Bartlett, says the road leading up to the iconic Butchart Gardens is in disrepair, and in need of work
"It would appear that there is a two-foot stretch on both sides of the road that was added at some point and is falling apart. And at a couple places along the road there's actually barriers. Like warning barriers have been put up to warn cars of the issues of the side of the road.
He adds that the road looks like it should head towards an industrial plant, not the biggest, most iconic tourist site in the region. He says despite Benvenuto leading to the most well-known tourist site in Greater Victoria, the municipality has no plans to fix the road.
"I looked through all the Central Saanich documents in the Financial Plan. I looked at the Pavement Management Plan, and that lists precisely what they are looking at upgrading. I looked at the Strategic Priorities document. There is absolutely no mention of that road anywhere that I could find."
He adds that while Benvenuto won, there are many roads across the CRD that are in disrepair, and municipalities need to maintain them.
"These are core services, a quality road is what we expect as taxpayers. And every time we pick up a newspaper, we see folks, we see councils getting involved in all kind of things, and we're under the impression that they are neglecting some of their core responsibilities."
Bartlett says that roads in poor condition leads to more accidents and damage to vehicles, which cost taxpayers even more money out of their own pocket. Adding that all the municipalities in the CRD need to review their plans, and work to create better, safer, and well maintained roads.