TEMPORARY ROLLING CLOSURES ON N3 TO FACILITATE BLASTING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN ASHBURTON AND NEW ENGLAND INTERCHANGE

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

TEMPORARY ROLLING CLOSURES ON N3 TO FACILITATE BLASTING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN ASHBURTON AND NEW ENGLAND INTERCHANGE

Pietermaritzburg, 01 September 2025 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise motorists on temporary rolling road closures to facilitate blasting next to the N3 Market Road Overpass Bridge as part of the ongoing construction between Gladys Manzi Road and New England Road Interchange.

The temporary road closures will take place as follows:

N3 full closure (both directions) from Ashburton Interchange to New England Interchange:

  • Closure 1: Thursday, 4 September 2025 from 14h30 to 15h00
  • Closure 2: Tuesday, 9 September 2025 from 14h30 to 15h00
  • Closure 3: Thursday, 11 September 2025 from 14h30 to 15h00
  • Closure 4: Tuesday, 16 September 2025 from 14h30 to 15h00
  • Closure 5: Thursday, 18 September 2025 from 14h30 to 15h00

Note that no access will be allowed onto the N3 between Ashburton and New England Road Interchanges via the interchange ramps or other connecting roads.

The full closures will take place as follows:

  • 14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and other connecting roads and blast.
  • 14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on all roads.
  • 15h00 – Reopen N3 and other connecting roads for all vehicles.

“Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), have carefully planned the closures and will manage and monitor them for their full duration” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu Natal Specialist Geometrics Engineer.

The R103 will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays are, however, likely. The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. If that happens, a second notice with information of the new time will be issued.

“We understand that these road closures cause major disruption and have planned them to take place at times when the disruption is minimised. Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period or find suitable staging areas to avoid major congestion. Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routes. Light vehicle traffic, as well as emergency services and traffic management are advised to make use of alternative routing. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience during the ongoing major road enhancements.” said Lowe.