Letter from Montreal

Driving in Montreal requires dexterity in all seasons: navigating snowy and slippery roads during winter storms; staying alert to weave through potholes as spring arrives. In both cases, a short journey can quickly become an obstacle course.

Each year, motorists face the same reality: Winter packs away its enchanting scenery and leaves behind a desolate landscape. The melting snow reveals battered roads where craters abound. There can be dozens of them on a single street, varying in size, depth and danger. A moment of inattention can quickly lead to car damage. These potholes are a source of frustration for Montrealers and spark heated debate on a daily basis. The city confirmed it has received more than 4,000 complaints since the beginning of 2025.

Frustration also abounds on social media, where many drivers post photos of craters obstructing their paths. They post to better criticize. Some describe Montreal's streets as a "battlefield," while others even go as far as comparing them to "a third-world country."

These potholes are mainly caused by weather conditions, namely the repeated cycles of freezing and thawing. "Initially, there is a deterioration, like a crack. Once water seeps in, it can turn to ice during a freeze, increasing the volume and causing the whole thing to explode," explained Alan Carter, a professor of construction engineering at the Higher School of Technology. Climate change also amplifies the number of freeze-thaw cycles. "We will inevitably have more and more potholes," admitted Carter, who noted that Montreal has previously been unofficially dubbed the "pothole capital of the world."

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