Carman's Main Street South, also known as Highway 13, has again been named one of Manitoba's worst roads, slipping from the top spot in 2016 to seventh place this year. Large potholes have plagued motorists using the busy, crumbling highway for years. Economic Development Officer Tyler King says the designation certainly isn't something that a community strives for.

"(The highway) has been identified to be fixed in the next year, which hopefully will happen, and then we won't be in the running any longer which would be great."

Replacement and repair work to the road has been slated for the last number of years, however the project continued to be delayed by the previous NDP provincial government for various reasons. The newly governing Tories however, have committed to making the work happen this year.

King admits that it's been a challenge to deal with a main road that isn't in good shape and the corresponding impacts on economic development and tourism to the area.

"It definitely does affect our messaging when we're trying to tell people about all the great things in the community and there's this one large item that is (hanging over us) that people constantly focus on," he explains.

King adds that to try and put a positive spin on the situation is difficult because the highway is something that needs to be improved. "Once that gets improved, then hopefully our messaging will be loud and clear about how great our community is overall." He notes having to continually sift through the negative and angry feedback while people ignore the positive things, does take a toll.

"We have to bare in mind that this is not a Town of Carman road, this is a provincial highway, but people don't see it has that and they can't understand why we aren't dealing with it. This is really hard because, if we could deal with it I think we would have dealt with it."

He sincerely hopes the province makes good on its commitment to fix Highway 13 this year and that people will in turn redirect their focus to the great amenities Carman and area have to offer.