The Township maintains about 400 km of roads within its boundaries.  About 250 km of the roads have a hard surface such as asphalt, tar and chip, or slurry seal.  Approximately 350 km of roads are maintained in the winter.

Current Winter Road Conditions

Road Conditions are updated daily, generally by 7:00 a.m. weekdays and 7 - 8:00 a.m. weekends when winter weather conditions are present. Grading of the gravel roads is being completed as conditions allow.

To report a winter road problem, please contact our office at 519-376-2729 x 240 during working hours, or leave a message on the snow line at 519-376-2729 x 407 after working hours.

Ministry of Transportation Road Closures

 Weather Information

Weather and road conditions vary widely due to the Township's size and geography.

You are encouraged to check the weather conditions before venturing out (click the Environment Canada link for either Owen Sound or Wiarton weather information).

For local closure information, please check the Radio Owen Sound website. The link to their website is listed below.

• Environment Canada Weather Office - Wiarton
• Environment Canada Weather Office - Owen Sound
• County of Grey Road Conditions
• Environment Canada Local Radar
• Radio Owen Sound
• Weather Network Highway Forecast

 Outfit your vehicle for the weather!

Equipping your vehicle with proper winter or all-season tires is essential for maintaining control of your vehicle in winter driving conditions. In areas like the Township of Georgian Bluffs, which receives heavy snow accumulation from approximately November until April each year, look for tires that are emblazoned with a peaked mountain containing a snowflake. These tires are designed specifically for use in heavy snow conditions.

For more information on winter driving, please visit the Canada Safety Council's website by clicking on the link below.

• Winter Driving suggestions from the Canada Safety Council

Snowplowing Operations

Snow plow operations are governed by the Township road clearing policy. It is Township practice to have all municipal roads plowed at least once every 24 hours if conditions warrant. Lengthy service delays can occur in freezing rain conditions.

Plow Routes
The township is broken into eight standard plow routes,so all roads in the Township can be cleared in about six hours if all eight plows are in operation.

These routes are plowed by a combination of permanent and temporary operators. The number of plows on duty depends staff and equipment availability and road conditions. If less than eight plows are available, the standard eight routes are adjusted.

Plowing Schedule
During the work week, the routes are started at 3:00 AM and usually completed prior to 10 AM with eight plows. Depending on conditions a second plow pass will be started in the afternoon, limited to specified roads only. This second pass may instead cover all roads under exceptional conditions.

On week-ends, four plows are used to do a single plow pass on specified roads only, except under exceptional conditions. Up to eight plows can be used under those circumstances to plow all roads in affected areas.

Roadside Brushing

The Municipality has a responsibility to maintain its publicly travelled roadways and roadside allowances in a safe condition to provide all potential users and that the Private, Township, County and Provincial roadway intersections are adequately cleared of obstructions and fouling so as to provide improved:

• Site Lines

• Overhead Clearances for Larger Vehicles

• Roadside Clearances for Road Maintenance Equipment

• Snow Storage Areas

• Winter Driving Surfaces

The intent of the Township’s brushing program is to clear cut the Township road allowances of all brush, shrubs, small trees, large trees and overhanging tree canopy that address any or all of the above noted improvements.

A list of Road Sections identified for brush removal can be found below.   

Staff acknowledges the sensitive nature of the public in regards to some brush removal methods (mechanical brusher-cutter), and the need to inform local property owners abutting the brushing works via the website annually.

The Township maintenance program is set annually through the Transportation Committee.  

County Roads

County Roads 1, 3, 5, 16, 17, 17A, 17B, 18 and 170 also provide access throughout the Township.

County Road Construction projects can be monitored through the County Website.

For Grey County winter road conditions you can call 1-866-266-7569 or go to their Road Conditions website.

Provincial Highways

Highway 6 and 10 accesses the southeast portion of Georgian Bluffs through to Owen Sound, with Highway 6 continuing west and north through the Village of Shallow Lake to Wiarton.

Highway 21 runs from the Sunset Strip" through Springmount westerly to Southampton and Port Elgin.

Civic 911 Addressing

The property addressing system provides a method of property identification.   To request an assignment of a new civic address in the Township of Georgian Bluffs, please complete the form below and bring to the Township office or use the drop box.  Please contact the municipal office for the current fee. 

Entrance Permits

A driveway or an entrance is an access right that is given to the landowner by the authority in charge of the particular road.  The Ministry of Transportation gives permits for driveways on Provincial Highways and the County of Grey grants permits for driveways on County Roads.  Entrances onto Township roads must therefore be approved by the Township of Georgian Bluffs.  Permits taken out with the Township are valid for a three year period and work must begin within one year of issuance.  All entrances require a final inspection.  After this time, if a refund is due,  it will be returned to the party who paid the original invoice.

Entrance permits are required for:  New construction; Changing design or location; Change in use (ie from agricultural to residential); temporary access; paving or off-road parking area.

There are many conditions and standards which affect different areas.  Please see the below Entrance Permit Package which outlines these guidelines

  FORMS - SCHEDULES