Motorists planning to travel along the N3 next weekend should plan their trips carefully as the national road will be closed for two days.
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) announced a comprehensive closure of the N3 from 5pm on Saturday March 23 until Monday March 25.
The road will be closed to facilitate the demolition of two key structures along the N3 route: the St James (Spine Road) Eastern Bridge and the Lancaster Road Bridge. These demolitions are integral parts of the ongoing upgrade of the N3 road infrastructure between the Westville viaduct and the Paradise Valley Interchange.
According to Sanral officials, in order to widen the N3, the bridges will have to be completely removed and reconstructed.
Motorists are strongly advised to plan alternate routes and adjust travel schedules to mitigate disruptions during the closure.
It is anticipated that the reconstruction of the St James and Lancaster Road Bridges will contribute to enhanced traffic flow and improved infrastructure along the N3 corridor, aligning with Sanral’s overarching objectives of modernising South Africa’s road network.
The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor the closures for traffic during this period.
Sanral roadworks in and around Durban and N3
On the N3 eastbound, a full closure of the N3 will take place at the M7 Farningham Ridge Interchange in the west, where traffic will be diverted onto the M7 (north or south). Heavy motor vehicles travelling south of Durban are encouraged to make use of the M7. Heavy motor vehicles travelling east and north of Durban are encouraged to make use of the M19. The M13 (King Cetshwayo Highway) is available for light vehicles travelling east.
On the N3 westbound, a full road closure of the N3 will be in place at the N2 EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) in the east, where traffic will be diverted north and south onto the N2 as the last point of diversion for traffic. The N3 westbound ramp for N2 northbound traffic at EB Cloete Interchange will be closed.
St James Avenue and Harry Gwala Road will be closed in both directions at the St James Bridge (Spine Road) from 9pm on Saturday March 23 until 7am on Sunday March 24. St James Ave and Harry Gwala Rd will be fully closed to traffic at the St James/Spine Rd Bridge. All on-ramps and off-ramps at the Spine Road intersection will be closed for the full duration of the N3 closure (35 hours).
- N3 Eastbound (from Pietermaritzburg to Durban): 5pm on Saturday March 23 to 4am on Monday March 25.
- The N3 Westbound (from Durban to Pinetown): 5pm on Saturday March 23 to 4am on Monday March 25.
- St James Avenue and Harry Gwala Road (at St James Bridge): 9pm on Saturday March 23 to 7am on Sunday March 24.
