There will be a full closure of the N3 from 17:00 on 23 March 2024 to 04:00 on 25 March 2024.
This is to facilitate the demolition of both the St James (Spine Rd) Eastern Bridge structure and the Lancaster Road Bridge as part of the construction processes for N3 road upgrades between the Westville Viaduct and the Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced.
The current work forms part of a major national road network upgrade being undertaken throughout the province to relieve traffic congestion and improve road safety.
The St James Bridge cannot accommodate the widened N3, which is being constructed as part of the upgrades. The eastern bridge structure of St James Bridge will be demolished on the weekend of 23-25 March 2024 and rebuilt to span the widened N3.
The Lancaster Road Bridge is also unable to accommodate the widened N3 and will be fully demolished over the same weekend. It will also be rebuilt to span the widened N3.
The N3 closure will last for a period of 35 hours.
On the N3 eastbound, a full road closure 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 (HMVs) 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 eastward.
On the N3 westbound, a full road closure will take 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.
St James Ave and Harry Gwala Rd will be closed in both directions at the St James Bridge (Spine Rd) from 21:00 on Saturday, 23 March until 07:00 on Sunday, 24 March.
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.
Heavy motor vehicles are advised to delay trips over this period or find suitable staging areas over this timeframe to avoid congestion.
Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of the route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routings.
The motoring public is encouraged to avoid any unnecessary travel during the closure period. Where unavoidable, light vehicles, as well as emergency services, should use suitable alternative routes.
“SANRAL understands that this will be a major disruption to traffic flow and has done its utmost to minimise the impact,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL Eastern Region Project Manager. “Motorists are urged to plan and adjust their travel times to ensure they arrive at their destinations on time whilst adhering to the speed limits.”
For the safety of both the road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation measures will be in place. Motorists currently using this section of the N3 (between N2 EB Cloete Interchange and M7 Farningham Ridge Interchange) as well as those using Lancaster Bridge, will notice that signage, barriers and speed reduction measures are currently being installed.
SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused to the motoring public and thanks them for their patience during this period.
A detailed alternative routing guide can be found on this link: https://www.nra.co.za/project-n2n3-upgrades?region_id=eastern
N3 Eastbound (from Pietermaritzburg to Durban)
17:00 on Saturday 23 March to 04:00 on Monday 25 March 2024
The full closure of the N3 will take place at the M7 Farningham Ridge Interchange. Heavy vehicles travelling south of Durban are encouraged to make use of the M7. Heavy 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.
The M13 ramp onto the N3 eastbound at Paradise Valley Interchange will also be closed.
N3 Westbound (from Durban to Pinetown)
17:00 on Saturday 23 March to 04:00 on Monday 25 March 2024
The full closure will take place at the N2 EB Cloete (Spaghetti) Interchange, where N3 westbound traffic will be diverted north and south onto the N2 as the final point of diversion for traffic.
The N3 westbound ramp for N2 northbound traffic at EB Cloete Interchange will be closed.
The N3 westbound ramp for N2 southbound traffic at EB Cloete Interchange will be closed.
St James Avenue and Harry Gwala Road (at St James Bridge)
21:00 on Saturday 23 March until 07:00 on Sunday 24 March
St James Ave and Harry Gwala Rd will be fully closed to traffic at the St James/Spine Rd Bridge.
All on-ramps and offramps at the Spine Road intersection will be closed for the full duration of the N3 closure (35 hours).
