Snow Clearing

When the Township declares a Significant Weather Event, it's a proactive measure to alert the public about anticipated or ongoing severe weather conditions. This announcement means that winter maintenance services may experience delays as Township crews work diligently to address road conditions.

Your patience during this time is greatly appreciated. The declaration will be lifted once standard timelines for maintenance are reinstated.

Stay informed about Significant Weather Event declarations through:

• Township Social Media Accounts: Follow us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) for timely updates.
• Township Website: Subscribe to updates through the website news feed.
• Municipal 511: To see whether the Township has declared a significant weather event, visit Municipal 511. A shaded area with a red triangle icon will be shown over the entire Township. When the event is declared to be over, the shaded area and the icon will no longer be present.

For a deeper understanding of the criteria triggering a Significant Weather Event declaration, refer to the Winter Operations Plan or Ontario Regulation 239-02.

Your safety and well-being during severe weather events are our priority. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Gravel roads are a vital part of rural infrastructure in Georgian Bluffs, but winter presents unique challenges for their maintenance. Unlike paved roads, gravel surfaces rely on frozen ground to remain stable during the winter months. When temperatures drop and the ground freezes deeply, the roads become firm and durable. However, heavy snowfall can insulate the ground, preventing it from freezing properly. Coupled with periods of rain and melting snow, this leads to soft, unstable surfaces prone to potholes, rutting, and other damages.

The Township works diligently to manage these conditions by conducting regular inspections and deploying crews to grade and repair the worst-affected sections. Graders are used to reshape the road surface and address areas where potholes or ruts have formed as the weather allows. However, without consistently frozen ground, freeze-thaw cycles can quickly undo repairs, making it difficult to maintain ideal road conditions throughout the winter season.

Residents are encouraged to adjust their driving habits to match conditions, reducing speed and exercising caution on gravel roads. The Township also collaborates with service providers to minimize disruptions to essential services like garbage collection, though there may be times when certain roads are temporarily inaccessible. Feedback from residents is invaluable in identifying problem areas, and the Township encourages reports through Contact GB to ensure timely responses and effective maintenance efforts.

We know that this can be frustrating.  Unfortunately, the Township cannot control when or how much it snows and therefore we cannot guarantee when the plow will be past your property. Please be assured that Township plow operators are not filling your driveway on purpose, they are just trying to keep the road safe for travel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

In winter, do not place garbage or recycling on snowbanks or in areas where they could be covered by snow or hit during winter maintenance activities. Keep garbage bags and recycle bins back 2m from the travelled portion of the road.

Roads can be closed for many reasons.  For any Township roads closures, please visit Municipal 511. If you click on the closure icon it will provide details on why it’s closed, if there is emergency access available, and when it is proposed to be open again. In some circumstances, a re-open time frame cannot be given.

Yes. The Township has partnerships with a number of local contractors to help deliver winter roads management. Roads in Cobble Beach, North and South Bass Lake Road, Lake Road, Wilson Road, Scott Street and Walpole Lane are all cleared by contractors working with the Township. Further, the Township works with contractors to clear sidewalks.

This may mean that you will see different equipment clearing these streets than other Township roads. 

Contractors are asked to perform services to the same level of service standards as the Township maintains our roads, and will use the same materials to add traction and aid melting of snow and ice on these roads where needed.

Grey County manages County roads, focusing on the main routes that connect communities. For specific details on their methods, check out Grey County Roads. Our Township, on the other hand, takes care of local roads and streets. 

To keep County roads free of ice and snow, Grey County deploys snow clearing trucks and uses salt, which can be white, green, or blue. This salt is specifically chosen to melt snow and ice, and County roads might be cleared multiple times a day.

Township roads and residential streets are also maintained with similar equipment. However, we use a mix of sand and a little salt (about 5% salt), commonly known as ‘pickled sand’. The sand provides traction in snowy and icy conditions, while the salt helps in melting. We aim to clear all Township roads once within 24 hours after or during winter weather. Unlike some urban areas where salt is frequently used, our Township limits salt use to protect the environment and our drinking water systems.

Due to these varied methods and traffic volumes, County Roads and Township roads may look different in winter. While Township roads might still have some snow cover, County roads are often bare and wet or dry.

So, next time you see these differences, remember it's all part of our tailored approach to keep our roads safe and still be environmentally friendly during winter!

There are many reasons why a plow might be driving with its blade off the road surface. It could be heading back to a depot to restock on salt or sand, or it could be heading to a shop to refuel, or for maintenance or repairs. This is not uncommon and should not raise concern.

Mailboxes and posts meeting Canada Post's installation standards, set at a height of 107cm (42 inches) or higher, are eligible for replacement or repair by the Township if visibly damaged due to contact with a plow or truck. However, damages caused by the weight of snow or the snow/slush pushed by the plow blade are not the Township's responsibility for replacement or repair. It's the owner's responsibility to clear snow and ice around the mailbox and post.

If you suspect that your mailbox was damaged due to contact with a Township plow, please report it via Contact GB. Provide the precise address and, if possible, attach pictures. Our staff will assess the information and reach out to you for further details.