Ottawa's Roads Are Full of Potholes — And the Fix Isn't Fixing Much
Ottawa has a pothole problem, and it's bigger than most residents realize. According to a new report from the Ottawa Citizen, the city is currently tracking 250,000 known potholes across its road network — a staggering figure that highlights just how much wear and tear Ottawa's streets endure through the freeze-thaw cycles of a Canadian winter.
Columnist Bruce Deachman digs into why the city's current approach to filling those craters may be a band-aid solution at best. The core issue: Ottawa is patching potholes without rigorously testing the materials going into the repairs. Roads could last significantly longer — and cost taxpayers less in the long run — if the city adopted a more data-driven approach to what gets poured into those holes. It's not just about filling them fast; it's about filling them right.
For drivers who've rattled through a freshly patched stretch of road only to find the same pothole reopened weeks later, this will come as no surprise. But the column raises an important question for city council: are we spending money on solutions that actually solve anything?
Impaired Driving Collisions on the Rise
In more troubling news from Ottawa, the city is seeing an uptick in impaired driving-related collisions. While specific figures weren't yet detailed at the time of publication, the trend is one that Ottawa police and traffic safety advocates have been flagging for some time.
Impaired driving — whether from alcohol, cannabis, or other substances — remains one of the leading causes of serious collisions on Ottawa roads. With warmer weather on the way and patio season approaching, the reminder couldn't come at a better time: if you're going out, plan your ride home in advance. Ottawa has no shortage of rideshare options and transit coverage to keep you and others safe.
Hit-and-Run Accused Set to Enter Plea
A criminal case that has been closely watched in Ottawa is moving forward, as the accused in a hit-and-run incident is expected to enter a plea. Hit-and-run cases are taken seriously in Ottawa's court system, and this development signals the next chapter in what has been a closely followed legal proceeding.
Details on the case were limited in early reporting, but the Ottawa Citizen newsroom is tracking the story as it develops through the courts.
What to Watch
Ottawa's spring news cycle is shaping up to be a busy one — from infrastructure debates and road safety to active criminal proceedings. The pothole conversation in particular is one that could have real policy implications as city council heads into budget discussions for the coming year.
If Ottawa wants roads that last, it may need to invest not just in more patches, but in smarter ones.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — News of the Day, April 8, 2026
