Roads

The following roads in Lake of Bays are maintained by the District of Muskoka:

• DR 2 – Brunel Road
• DR 39 – Main Street, Dorset
• DR 117 – Muskoka Road #117

To report issues on District maintained roads, use the online ‘Report a District Road Concern’ form or call 705-645-2100, extension 4.

The following District roads in Lake of Bays are maintained by the Township of Lake of Bays:

• DR 8 – Limberlost Road
• DR 9 – South Portage
• DR 21 – Fox Point Road
• DR 22 – Port Cunnington Road
• DR 23 – North Portage Road
• DR 51 – Echo Lake Road

To report issues on Township maintained roads, use our online reporting form or call our Public Works Department at 705-635-2851.

The following roads in Lake of Bays are maintained by the Province of Ontario:

• Highway 60
• Highway 35

To report issues on provincially maintained roads, contact Fowler Construction at 1-866-527-8216. To check highway road conditions, visit Ontario 511.

Roadside brushing and tree removal along Township roads is important maintenance that serves several crucial purposes:

• Increase Road Safety by Improving Sightlines: Overgrown vegetation and trees can obstruct drivers’ visibility of oncoming traffic, pedestrians, wildlife and road signs. By removing these obstructions, sightlines are greatly improved, making Lake of Bays roads safer for everyone. 
• Allow Sunlight and Air Movement to Reach the Road Base: Air movement and sunlight aid in the drying process of Lake of Bays roads, preventing the buildup of ice in winter, and drying out the road surface after rainfall. This reduces the risk of slippery conditions and prolongs the road's lifespan. A dry road surface is less prone to damage such as potholes, cracks and deterioration over time.
• Allow for Snow Storage: At times, Lake of Bays experiences heavy snowfall. Cleared areas along the roadside are vital for the storage of plowed snow. Without these cleared areas, snow can build up on the road itself, narrowing the available driving space and creating hazardous conditions. Additionally, storing snow in cleared areas can lead to a more gradual melt, reducing the risk of flooding when temperatures rise.

Roadside brushing and tree removal are essential parts of road maintenance that contributes to safety, road longevity, and effective snow management.

Road culverts and entrance culverts are maintained by the Township. To help culverts work efficiently:

• Ensure that your entrance culvert has an Entrance Permit 
• Do not deposit leaves, debris or branches near the culverts
• Keep snow from being piled over the ends of your entrance culvert

Roadside ditching is performed throughout the year to ensure that the road drainage systems work efficiently. Roads are prioritized based on inspections and patrols.

Calcium Chloride is applied in late June to help stabilize gravel roads and to reduce the amount of dust.

The weight of vehicles on municipal roads is restricted annually from the beginning of March to approximately the end of May as per the Highway Traffic Act R.S.O. 1990, cH8, s122.

• Vehicle weight is restricted to five (5) tonnes per axle.
• The date that weight restrictions are lifted is determined by road and weather conditions each year.

The edges of roads are mowed once a year starting in July to:

• Increase safety
• Allow for increased visibility
• Control the growth of trees and shrubs near the road

Grading operations begin in the spring when roads and shoulders are sufficiently dry and are repeated in the fall. For efficiency, roads are graded according to a predetermined route.

Potholes are caused by several factors including speed of traffic, sudden acceleration and drainage issues. Repair techniques include:

• Hard surface potholes are patched with an asphalt patching material.
• Gravel road potholes often require grading to remove them effectively; gravel patching is only a temporary repair.

Winter operations including snowplowing and/or sanding are performed by municipally-owned and operated equipment and contractors. Driving conditions and road safety are a priority on all Township maintained roads. Main roads and bus routes are serviced first, followed by secondary roads.

How you can help

Please consider the following:

• Be patient: it takes an average of 8 to 10 hours to plow the roads after the snow has stopped
• Do not park on Township roads and turnarounds in the winter season: this can create a safety hazard for our drivers and the travelling public
• Do not deposit snow on Township or District roads: this can create a safety hazard and is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act

Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around community mailboxes. If your mailbox is blocked by snow, please contact Canada Post.

Help our snowplows

Ensure your rural mailbox is in a good state of repair and is not obstructing snowplow operations.

Mailbox placement and maintenance

For proper placement and maintenance of rural mailboxes, review Canada Post's guidelines before installation for specifications and road safety criteria.

Damaged mailboxes

Mailboxes damaged by snow load from the plow equipment will not be replaced. In some circumstances, a mailbox may be replaced if the damage is deemed to be the result of a direct hit by plow equipment.