Route 342 in Pointe-Fortune, Quebec, has become something of a local legend, but not for the right reasons. This roadway has garnered a reputation as one of the most notorious stretches of tarmac in the province, and residents aren’t taking the pothole predicament lightly.
Pascale Montesano, a resident of the area for eight years, chuckles as she describes the state of the road. “It’s pretty bad,” she admits, echoing the sentiments of many in the community.
Route 342’s condition has deteriorated to the point where it’s practically undrivable, a nightmare for motorists. Fed up with witnessing accidents and flat tires, Montesano and a group of neighbors took matters into their own hands. Last week, they planted flower pots and set up orange cones in some of the deepest craters, creating an impromptu and visually striking garden amidst the road’s ruin.
“At least you could see the holes,” Montesano explained, adding, “So it was a bit less dangerous.”
This half-kilometer stretch of road, just before the Ontario border, is riddled with potholes, some reaching six inches in depth. Cars are forced to weave perilously through this lunar-like landscape. Seasoned locals have developed their own strategies, often veering onto the shoulder to evade the potholes, though even that refuge is in disrepair.
Andrea St-Pierre, who works at the Animatch dog shelter along Route 342, shared her experience, saying, “Because I come here every day, I have my own little trail. We use the shoulder to avoid the holes, but in some sections, the shoulder is torn up too.”
This pothole-riddled road has witnessed numerous accidents, including a motorcyclist and passenger who were thrown from their bike after hitting a deep pothole two years ago.
The cacophony of tires popping has become a common occurrence for Montesano. “They were smashing tires, and with the rain and everything, you don’t see the holes, so if it’s raining, you think it’s just a small hole, but it goes really deep,” she lamented.
Mayor Francois Belanger of Pointe-Fortune declined an interview request but mentioned over the phone that the town cannot afford to repave the road independently. Pointe-Fortune has sought financial assistance from the province.
In the meantime, municipal workers have temporarily filled some of the worst potholes with gravel while awaiting funding from Transport Quebec. However, locals believe a simpler solution exists. “I think they should just take off everything and leave it on rocks,” Montesano proposed. “Having a gravel road is better than having a minefield,” St-Pierre concurred.
Amid the pothole plague, the community of Pointe-Fortune has found a unique way to transform their beleaguered road into a canvas of resilience, beauty, and determination.
