Ensure your travel plans accommodate temporary closures on the N3 for vital blasting work.
Image: Matthews Baloyi
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has issued a public announcement regarding temporary rolling road closures that will be implemented on the N3 to facilitate blasting operations adjacent to the Market Road Overpass Bridge. This measure forms a crucial part of the ongoing construction work between Gladys Manzi Road and the New England Road Interchange, aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of one of South Africa's key transport routes.
The full closures of the N3 — affecting both directions — from Ashburton Interchange to New England Interchange, will occur on three specific occasions:
During these periods, no access will be permitted onto the N3 between the Ashburton and New England Road Interchanges via the interchange ramps or other connecting roads. Here is the planned schedule for the closures:
The R103 route will be available as an alternative during the blasting activities, though motorists are advised that substantial delays are likely due to the R103's lower capacity to handle high volumes of traffic compared to the N3. SANRAL cautions that the timings of these closures may be adjusted depending on weather conditions on any given day, with additional notifications provided if required.
Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu-Natal Specialist Geometrics Engineer, remarked on the careful planning involved in the closures, “Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), has meticulously planned these closures and will manage and monitor them throughout their duration.”
Lowe further acknowledged the inconvenience these disruptions could cause. “We understand that these road closures can lead to significant disruption, and we have scheduled them to minimise impact on the public. Heavy vehicles and trucks are advised to delay trips during these hours or seek alternative staging areas to alleviate congestion. Public transport operators should ensure awareness among drivers regarding affected routes, and light vehicle traffic, along with emergency services, are encouraged to use alternative roads.”
“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience these essential upgrades may cause and appreciates the understanding and patience of the public as we strive to improve road safety and efficiency across our major transport routes,” added Lowe.
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