Road Classification

Georgian Bluffs maintains a variety of road types, each with different levels of service to ensure safety, accessibility, and efficiency for all road users. Roads are classified based on their surface type, traffic volume, and maintenance needs, ranging from fully paved urban roads to seasonal gravel roads and private lanes.

Find out about the services provided for each road class, including snow removal, pothole repairs, garbage collection, and more. By understanding how road maintenance is prioritized, you can better navigate service expectations.

How Roads are Classified

The primary factor the Township used in classifying roadways is the surface of the road.  This could be Asphalt, Surface Treatment (often referred to as tar and chip), Gravel, and Concrete.

Roads were then further sub-classified using their classification under using the Minimum Maintenance Standards Road Classes.

Roads within more densely populated areas, or key roads that link populated areas together, tend to have more traffic using them, and tend to be considered a higher class of road. The another key element in classifying a road, is the speed limit on the road. Roads that are higher speed limits tend to be roads that link between places and have a higher class associated with them; lower speed roads tend to be more residential in nature and have a lower class associated with them. 

The balance of number of vehicles using a road on a daily basis (the ADT - Average Daily Traffic) and the speed limit combined, help define the Class of a Road under O.Reg 239/02 Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways as per the table below.  These range from Class 1 to Class 6, where the municipality faces specific activities and timelines for completing these activities (service levels) to roads.

TABLE CLASSIFICATION OF HIGHWAYS (O. Reg. 366/18,s. 1 (5).)

Average Daily Traffic
(number of motor vehicles)		 Speed Limit
91 - 100 km/h 		 Speed Limit
81 -90 km/h		 Speed Limit
71 - 80 km/h		 Speed Limit
61 - 70 km/h		 Speed Limit
51 - 60 km/h		 Speed Limit
41 - 50 km/h		 Speed Limit
1 -40 km/h
53,000 or more 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
23,000 - 52,999 1 1 1 2 2 2 2
15,000 - 22,999 1 1 2 2 2 3 3
12,000- 14,999 1 1 2 2 2 3 3
10,000 - 11,999 1 1 2 2 3 3 3
8,000 - 9,999 1 1 2 3 3 3 3
6,000 - 7,999 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
5,000 - 5,999 1 2 2 3 3 4 4
4,000-4,999 1 2 3 3 3 4 4
3,000 - 3,999 1 2 3 3 3 4 4
2,000 - 2,999 1 2 3 3 4 5 5
1,000 - 1,999 1 3 3 3 4 5 5
500 - 999 1 3 4 4 4 5 5
200 - 499 1 3 4 4 5 5 6
50 - 199 1 3 4 5 5 6 6
0 - 49 1 3 6 6 6 6 6
Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) does not cover all services that a municipality provides and sometimes, municipalities do more than is required. Georgian Bluffs shows the typical services that a resident might expect as a 'Functional Class' - areas where residents get better than a minimum maintenance level, and to help residents understand the services that are provided that are not part of the minimum maintenance standards

By using the map above, you can find any Township managed road and by clicking on the road section you can find out more about it. You will also find the data the Township has collected on average daily traffic counts and the pavement condition index, PCI. These data are update periodically so that the Township monitors the quality of its roads and the use of its roads.  
  • Daily traffic counts are shown in an average number of vehicles per day. 
  • PCI results are a score out of 100. Roads that score more than 56 are considered to be in Fair condition or better; roads scoring less than 55 are considered in a Poor condition with roads considered in a Serious condition at less than 25. 
The information on roads also includes the speed limit and the Townships Functional Class. By comparing the Functional Class to the list below, you can see the Service Levels you can expect to see on your road. 

The map above also includes information on Bridges and larger culverts in the Township. You can click on a bridge and find out more about it, including a condition rating. These ratings are provided and updated every two years by engineers through a program called the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) a process that all municipalities must complete on bridges every two years. The OSIM inspection gives a Bridge Condition Index (BCI) score, which in turn relates to a bridge condition. 

Functional Class 1 Roads (Asphalt)

Paved roads primarily designed for urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. They have varying levels of roadside infrastructure like curbs, stormwater management, and ditches. These roads often serve more densely populated areas or as primary thoroughfares.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface ) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, contractor availability
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not provided
  • Roadside Brushing: Not provided
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: Not provided
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface ) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, contractor availability
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some at intersections
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, contractor availability
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not provided
  • Roadside Brushing: Not provided
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: Not provided
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, contractor availability
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some at intersections
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 20 years

Functional Class 2 Roads (Surface Treated)

Roads with a surface treatment over a granular base, providing cost-effective solutions for lower traffic volumes. Includes single and double surface treatments.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 7 days (road surface) or 14 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulderlarger)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Some
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road surface) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, at intersections only
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Approximately every 10 years

Functional Class 3 Roads (Concrete)

Roads with a concrete surface, typically found in specific urban or semi-urban areas. Some may be scheduled for conversion to asphalt in the future.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: Yes
  • MSS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 30 days (road surface) or 60 days (shoulder)
  • Street Sweeping: Once in spring, contractor availability
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not provided
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: Not provided
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Transition to asphalt anticipated

Functional Class 4 Roads (Gravel)

Gravel roads designed for year-round or seasonal use, primarily in rural or low-traffic areas. Maintenance focuses on grading, dust suppression, and gravel replenishment.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly
  • Snow Clearing: Minimum once daily (as needed)
  • Icy Road Treatment: As needed
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Gravel Grading: Minimum three times per year
  • Maintenance Gravel Application: Approximately every five years
  • Dust Suppression (Calcium Chloride): Once annually
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Most areas
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Bi-Weekly (seasonally)
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Icy Road Treatment: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Gravel Grading: Minimum two times per year
  • Maintenance Gravel Application: Approximately every five years
  • Dust Suppression (Calcium Chloride): Once annually
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance: As needed

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: No
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Icy Road Treatment: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Within 14 days (road) or 30 days (shoulder)
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Twice annually, cut by route
  • Roadside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Gravel Grading: Not applicable
  • Maintenance Gravel Application: Not applicable
  • Dust Suppression (Calcium Chloride): Not applicable
  • Roadside Ditch Maintenance:  Not applicable

Functional Class 5 Roads (Trails)

Trails that are either closed to vehicular traffic or designed for multi-purpose use. Minimal maintenance is provided for these pathways.

  • MMS Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Not applicable
  • Trailside Grass Cutting: No
  • Trailside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Gravel Grading: As needed
  • Maintenance Gravel Application: Not applicable
  • Dust Suppression (Calcium Chloride): Not applicable
  • Trailside Ditch Maintenance:  Not applicable

  • MMS Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Not applicable
  • Trailside Grass Cutting: Once annually
  • Trailside Brushing: As needed, based on budget
  • Gravel Grading: As needed
  • Maintenance Gravel Application: As needed
  • Dust Suppression (Calcium Chloride): Not applicable
  • Trailside Ditch Maintenance:  As needed

Functional Class 6 Roads (Unopened Allowances)

Roads that are unopened and closed to public traffic. Maintenance is limited to municipal infrastructure needs.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: None
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: None
  • Snow Clearing: None
  • Icy Road Treatment: None
  • Pothole Repairs: None
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: None
  • Roadside Brushing: None

Functional Class 7 Roads (Municipal Infrastructure Allowances)

Unopened allowances with municipal infrastructure. Maintenance is limited to preserving infrastructure functionality.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: None
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: None
  • Snow Clearing: None
  • Icy Road Treatment: None
  • Pothole Repairs: None
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: None
  • Roadside Brushing: None

Functional Class 8-10 Roads (Private)

Private roads with varying degrees of service agreements. Services are minimal or non-existent, depending on agreements.

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes (if brought to intersection with open, maintained road)
  • Streetlighting: None
  • MMS Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Icy Road Treatment: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Not applicable
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not applicable
  • Roadside Brushing: Not applicable
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Not applicable

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes (if brought to intersection with open, maintained road)
  • Streetlighting: None
  • Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Icy Road Treatment: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Not applicable
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not applicable
  • Roadside Brushing: Not applicable
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Not applicable

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: No
  • Streetlighting: None
  • Patrolling: Not applicable
  • Snow Clearing: Not applicable
  • Icy Road Treatment: Not applicable
  • Pothole Repairs: Not applicable
  • Roadside Grass Cutting: Not applicable
  • Roadside Brushing: Not applicable
  • Hard Surface Rehabilitation: Not applicable

Functional Class P & GC (Highways and County Roads)

Description: Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation for Ontario and maintained by either the MTO or contractor. These paved roads are primarily designed for high volumes of traffic and as main thoroughfares demanding a higher level of service.  The Township therefore only provides services for:

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes

Description: Under the jurisdiction of the County of Grey and maintained by either Grey County or contractor. These paved roads are primarily designed for high volumes of traffic and as main thoroughfares demanding a higher level of service.  The Township therefore only provides services for:

  • Weekly Curbside Waste Collection: Yes

Resources

For more information regarding Functional Road Classifications the Council report and appendices are available:

COR2024-038 - Functional Road Classifications.pdf

Appendix A - Functional Classes Map.pdf

Appendix B - Current Services Provided.pdf

Appendix C - Current Services Levels.pdf

Appendix D - MMS.pdf

Contact Us

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177964 Grey Road 18,
Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5

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Phone: 519-376-2729 ext. 910

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