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Mainstreet executive vice-president David Valentin said the preoccupation of Saskatoon residents with roads is unusual.

“I don’t think that’s typical of most cities,” Valentin said in an interview. “Most cities have other top concerns.”

The telephone poll, which mixed land lines with cellphones, surveyed 802 random Saskatoon residents on Tuesday. It is considered accurate within 3.46 per cent 19 times out of 20.

Growth and development was identified by nine per cent, the same percentage that named another issue or were not sure. Six per cent named transit, while another six per cent identified waste and recycling. Six per cent also cited a new downtown arena.

Five per cent named recreational facilities as the top issue.

Saskatoon city council heard the concerns of residents about roads over several years and introduced a road improvement levy in 2013 that resulted in average annual tax increases of 5.58 per cent the last three years.

Mayoral candidate Henry Dayday, who was mayor from 1988 to 2000, has made the state of the city’s roads a major plank in his effort to return to the mayor’s chair. He is running against Mayor Don Atchison, Coun. Charlie Clark and newcomer Kelley Moore.

Despite the extra spending, just seven per cent think roads are improving, according to a Mainstreet/Postmedia poll in July, while 39 per cent think roads are getting worse.

The July random telephone poll had responses from 803 Saskatoon residents and is also considered accurate within 3.46 per cent 19 times out of 20.