With warm weather blanketing the region, melting snow is leading to muddy conditions on many unpaved roads in the region.

What is sometimes called “mud season” occurs during the transition from winter to spring, with warming temperatures melting the ice and snow on top, while lower layers stay frozen. There is nowhere for the water to drain, resulting a nasty mud-slurry in the lower layers. The weight of vehicles pushes a muddy slurry to the surface, destabilizing the road structure.

In Grey County, reduced load restrictions of five tonnes per axle are now in effect. The road restrictions are in effect about two weeks earlier than usual this year due to the warm and wet weather. The restrictions help minimize surface damage from heavy vehicles. The load maximums are usually lifted about May 1.

In Bruce County, the municipality of Huron Kinloss is warning motorists to drive with caution as some roads are very wet and rutted. Drivers should try to avoid gravel roads until things dry up. The township says adding gravel would just make more mud, and grading can only be done when the road surface becomes firm enough. Road repairs have to wait for the roads to harden up with some dry, sunny and windy days.