Several roads in and around Durban and on the N3 will be closed with significant disruptions as the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) continues with demolitions and reconstruction as part of its ongoing roads upgrade.

The key closures are necessary for the demolition and subsequent reconstruction of the Rockdale Road Bridge, which spans the N3 between the St James Avenue/Harry Gwala Road Interchange and the EB Cloete Interchange.

Key dates for closures:

Rockdale Road Bridge Closure: From Saturday August 17 until the end of July

N3 West-Bound Full Closure: From 6pm on Saturday August 24 to 4am on Monday August 26.

N3 East-Bound Lane Closure: From 6pm on Saturday August 24, to 4am on Monday August 26.

According to Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager, the EB Cloete Interchange and its feeder roads have been under severe stress for years, with traffic volumes far exceeding the original design capacity.

“The Rockdale Road Bridge, constructed in the late 1960s, can no longer accommodate the additional lanes required on the N3.”

The planned closures will allow for the safe demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new one as part of SANRAL's major upgrade to the N3 and the EB Cloete Interchange.

To ensure the safety of both road users and construction teams, comprehensive traffic accommodation plans have been put in place. SANRAL advises trucks and heavy vehicles to delay trips or find suitable staging areas during the closure period to avoid significant congestion. Public transport operators are urged to inform their drivers about the route closures and alternative options that will impact commuter routes.

Light vehicles, emergency services, and traffic management teams are advised to use alternative routes. SANRAL has provided a detailed alternative route guide, which is available on their website.

All road users are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time and where possible leave for their destinations earlier than usual.

The following closures will be enforced:

N3, east-bound road will be fully closed from 6pm on Saturday August 24, to 4am on Monday August 26.

N3 East Bound Closures (Pinetown to Durban):

∙ N3 east-bound fully closed at St James Avenue/Harry Gwala Road Interchange – motorists can only off-ramp to Westville/Pavilion Shopping Centre.

∙ St James Avenue loop ramp is fully closed coming from the Pavilion going to Durban.

∙ St James Avenue left slip is fully closed coming from Westville going to Durban.

N3, west-bound road will be fully closed from 6pm on Saturday August 24, to 4am on Monday August 26.

N3 West Bound Closures (Durban to Pinetown):

∙ N3 west-bound fully closed at EB Cloete Interchange (AKA Spaghetti Junction) – motorists can only proceed to the N2 North or South.

∙ N2 north-bound off-ramp fully closed at Spaghetti Junction coming from Amanzimtoti going to Pinetown.

∙ N2 south-bound off-ramp fully closed at Spaghetti Junction coming from Umhlanga Rocks going to Pinetown.

Residents of Westville and Chesterville are to be advised of the following:

Rockdale Road Bridge over the N3 will be closed from August 17 to the end of July 2025.

Alternate access will be available via Bristol Road Bridge.

SANRAL appeals to all road users to observe the advance warning signs and adhere to the reduced speed limits in the construction zones.

“The safety of both the construction workers and road users is our top priority,” Mr Lowe said.

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