Updated: Mon Aug. 20 2007 4:39:06 PM

toronto.ctv.ca

While launching its annual "Words Roads" campaign, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) called on the provincial and federal governments to hand over more cash to help municipalities repair their damaged roads.

The CAA says almost all Ontario roads are maintained by municipalities, but the two senior levels of government collect all motoring-related taxes needed to fix those roads.

"It's clear that the province has the money to help, we know the federal government has the money to help, but municipalities don't have the money," CAA Ontario's Kris Barnier told CTV News.

The CAA wants more of Ontario's gas tax dollars transferred to cities to fix crumbling roads and bridges.

In advance of the fall October election, the automobile association is urging constituents to write to the three party leaders, Dalton McGuinty, John Tory and Howard Hampton.

Starting Monday, Ontario motorists can go online and vote on the province's worst roads while adding comments. This is the CAA's fifth annual campaign.

The organization says the campaign has forced municipalities to fix potholes and badly damaged roads that lead to thousands of serious accidents each year.

Bathurst Street topped Toronto's worst road list last year, while Steeles Avenue, Dufferin Street and St. Clair have placed high every year.

Those streets are already topping the list from the first several dozen responses so far this year.

Final results will be published in early October