The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced temporary road closures on the N3 to accommodate the placement of concrete bridge beams for the new Candella Bridge.
The N3 Eastbound and Westbound carriageways between the EB Cloete Interchange (also known as Spaghetti Junction) and Sherwood Interchange will be closed on the evenings of the 22nd and 23rd of January 2025. Work will begin with the Westbound carriageway with a full closure, followed by the Eastbound carriageway with a full closure. Each closure will last 8 hours, from 8am to 4am, as detailed below:
Closure 1: N3 Westbound Carriageway will take place from Wednesday, 22 January at 8pm, to Thursday, 23 January 4am.
Closures at Sherwood Interchange:
• N3 Westbound from Durban to Pinetown – N3 fully closed. Vehicles can only proceed down the Sherwood Interchange offramp.
• Sherwood Westbound on-ramp to the N3 (Sherwood/Cato Manor to Pinetown) – ramp fully closed. Vehicles can only proceed along the Jan Smuts Highway or to N3 Eastbound.
Closure 2 is N3 Eastbound Carriageway starting on Thursday, 23 January at 8pm, to 4am on Friday, 24 January5.
Closures at EB Cloete (Spaghetti Junction) N3/N2 Interchange:
• N2 Southbound Ramp to N3 Eastbound (King Shaka International Airport to Durban) – ramp fully closed. Vehicles can only proceed to N2 South or N3 West.
• N3 Eastbound at N2 North/South (Pinetown to Umhlanga/King Shaka International Airport and Amanzimtoti) – N3 fully closed. Vehicles can only proceed to N2 North or South.
• N2 Northbound Ramp to N3 Eastbound (Amanzimtoti to Durban) – ramp fully closed. Vehicles can only proceed to N2 North or N3 West.
Jason Lowe, Project Manager in SANRAL’s Eastern Region. said, “This work is part of SANRAL’s major national road network upgrade to relieve traffic congestion across the province, enhancing the N2 North and Southbound and the EB Cloete Interchange. Candella Bridge, constructed in the 1960s, requires modification to accommodate additional lanes as part of the EB Cloete Interchange enhancement. To ensure safety for both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place, with signage, barriers, and traffic-calming measures already installed.”
Lowe said that trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to delay trips over these times or use staging areas to minimise congestion. Public transport operators should ensure drivers are aware of route closures and alternative routes affecting their schedules. Light vehicles and emergency services are encouraged to utilise alternative routes.
A detailed alternative route guide is included below and can also be found at this link: https://www.nra.co.za/project-n2n3-upgrades?region_id=eastern
“All road users are strongly advised to plan routes in advance and leave for destinations earlier than usual to avoid delays. SANRAL appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as it undertakes this vital project to alleviate long-term traffic congestion in the area,” said Lowe.
SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones. To prioritise the safety of both the construction workers and road users, the speed limit along the route will be reduced during construction.
