With a chance of flurries in the forecast, the Township of Georgian Bluffs is reminding residents how they can help keep local roads and sidewalks safe this winter.
Municipal crews are officially ready to roll out the 2026–2027 Winter Operations Plan, which covers 877 lane kilometres of roadway and 12 kilometres of sidewalks across nine plow routes and three sidewalk routes. Plowing operations generally kick off at 3 a.m. and require roughly five hours to clear the roads before crews transition to sidewalks. Because 24-hour plowing is not offered, municipal staff rely on community cooperation to keep routes clear following overnight snowfall.
Motorists are urged to slow down, give themselves extra travel time, ensure winter tires are installed, and avoid unnecessary trips during major weather events. Drivers should also maintain a generous distance behind snowplows and graders, as operators deal with tough conditions and may have to stop or turn unexpectedly.
Starting Sunday, November 15 and running until April 15, residents must avoid parking on the roadside so plows are not blocked or delayed. Any vehicles left on the street are at risk being ticketed or towed. When shoveling or blowing snow from private driveways, homeowners should avoid pushing it onto the road or into culverts, which slows down clearing efforts and causes drainage issues during a thaw.
Residents can also assist emergency crews and waste collectors by keeping nearby fire hydrants clear of snow and ice, and by placing garbage and recycling carts at the end of their driveways rather than on the street or sidewalk. Setting bins on the right side of the driveway when facing the road helps prevent them from being buried or struck by passing plows.
Finally, families are reminded to keep children from digging tunnels or building forts in roadside snowbanks where operators cannot see them, and to keep a 72-hour emergency kit stocked with food, water, blankets, flashlights, and medications in case of severe winter storms.
Residents can monitor road conditions and weather alerts by subscribing to municipal updates at Township of Georgian Bluffs, following the township's social media channels, or contacting the OPP for after-hours emergencies.
