CALEDONIA—Drivers crossing the Argyle Street Bridge in Caledonia say worsening potholes have turned a key route through town into a source of daily frustration and concern. Some residents are reporting vehicle damage, while local officials say their ability to fix the problem is limited by provincial controls and the weather.
Councillor Dan Lawrence said he has received roughly a dozen direct calls from residents over the past month about potholes in the area, in addition to complaints received by County staff. He encourages residents to reach out directly rather than rely only on social media posts.
“It’s always good to hear from constituents,” he said, adding that when people take the time to report issues, it helps identify problem areas.
He said that responsibility for the roadway is a major complicating factor, as the Ministry of Transportation controls the Argyle Street Bridge and the roadway from the north end of the bridge to the signal lights at Caithness Street. Haldimand County is responsible for the roadway only beyond that point. Because of liability concerns, County staff are not permitted to carry out repairs within the MTO-controlled section.
“If (County staff) repair that and somebody has a mishap with the car, then our County staff were overstepping their bounds and are liable,” Lawrence explained.
He described the location as an anomaly, being a high-traffic area where jurisdiction shifts abruptly. He said he has spoken recently with MTO supervisors and the minister about the issue, but acknowledged residents want visible results sooner: “People want to see action, not just talk.”
For residents like Sarah James, the impact has already been personal and costly. James grew up in Caledonia and crosses the Argyle Street Bridge every day.
“I’ve just never seen our potholes, like, our road conditions, get this bad,” she said.
James believes potholes in the area caused significant damage to her vehicle.
“My mechanic said it was all due to the potholes,” she said, explaining that her passenger-side struts failed, she blew a tire, and damage was found to the transmission mount and links. At the time of the interview, she was still waiting for the final invoice but had been told the damage was consistent with striking deep potholes.
She identified several problem areas, including potholes on the bridge itself and “a huge one right at the bottom” when heading north, adding that the situation feels out-of-character for her hometown.
Lawrence said that while the County cannot address the bridge directly, it has decided it cannot wait any longer to repair the section of Argyle Street under municipal control beyond the signal lights to Sutherland Street. He said staff have worked to include resurfacing that stretch in the 2026 capital budget, with $400,000 allocated for the work, pending Council approval.
“We’ve got to replace some Argyle Street here, Argyle Bridge all the way up to Sutherland,” Lawrence said, adding that he does not foresee any issues with Council approval. He said the capital budget process allowed staff to work the project in sooner than originally planned.
Signal lights in the area are also being updated as part of separate capital projects that were already included in the County’s long-term planning.
While this work will not address the bridge itself, Lawrence said the County continues to work with the province to mitigate conditions in the interim, including the possibility of resurfacing the bridge surface. He noted that weather conditions limit what can be done immediately, but emphasized the importance of maintaining safe roadways.
“We just need safe passage,” he said, pointing to drivers having to maneuver around potholes within narrow lanes. He also noted the need to restore painted centre lines on the bridge, which wear away more quickly under current environmental regulations requiring water-based paint.
In a written statement provided to The Haldimand Press, the Ministry of Transportation said it is investing nearly $30 billion to build, expand, and repair highways, roads, and bridges across Ontario. The ministry said its contractor has been directed to prioritize the Argyle Street Bridge location and has been actively repairing potholes as conditions allow.
The MTO added that affected vehicle owners may submit a claim for damage by visiting the province’s online claims portal.
Lawrence said he appreciates residents who have contacted both municipal and provincial officials, as well as efforts from Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady to push the issue forward. He acknowledged that progress can be slow, but said discussions with provincial officials leave him cautiously optimistic.
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” he said, adding that work toward an eventual bridge replacement continues, even as residents wait for short-term improvements to road conditions.
