Montreal Mayor Tires of Road Woes After Two Flat Tires From Potholes

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has put faces on the city’s growing pothole problem after she personally suffered two flat tires following a drive along Notre-Dame Street, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, officials and media reports said. The incident — which occurred in late evening — prompted the mayor to share a candid video on social media describing her ordeal and the frustrations that many Montreal motorists have been experiencing due to deteriorating road conditions.

In the video, Martinez Ferrada confirmed she blew a pair of tires after hitting deep potholes, and joked about being towed while also stressing that the problem is no laughing matter for residents who cannot afford costly repairs. She said on social platforms, “Two tires, two flats,” illustrating the impact that the network of craters has had on vehicles city-wide. The mayor described the city’s streets as “catastrophic” and acknowledged that the timing of the pothole surge — driven by weather conditions and multiple freeze-thaw cycles — has outpaced the city’s ability to fill them.

Experts say that an unusually warm spell in January followed by cold snaps accelerated pavement deterioration, forming numerous large potholes across Montreal’s roads in a short period of time. Calls to report potholes to the city’s 311 service spiked dramatically compared with the same period last year, suggesting that the problem is widespread and affecting drivers across many neighbourhoods.

Martinez Ferrada told journalists her vehicle was towed and that repairs will come out of her own pocket — an experience she said many residents share. She has vowed to unveil a citywide road repair initiative in the near future aimed at addressing both temporary fixes this winter and a more comprehensive plan in the spring when permanent repairs can be made. However, she warned that there is no quick fix in the depths of winter and urged motorists to drive cautiously and avoid cratered stretches where possible.

City officials have acknowledged that the current situation has put pressure on repair crews, some of whose equipment has been out of service, and that the municipality is prioritizing major arteries to reduce hazards. Meanwhile, a local automobile association has noted an increase in flat-tire calls linked to road damage, reinforcing calls from residents and the mayor alike for greater investment in road infrastructure.