TRAFFIC ADVISORY
ASHBURTON DEMOLITION WILL RESULT IN FULL ROAD CLOSURE OF N3
Pietermaritzburg, 16 April 2025 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the full closure of N3 national road from 9 May 2025 at 20h00 until 11 May 2025 at 05h00 to facilitate the demolition of the Ashburton bridge.
“Full closures will take place at Lynnfield and Market Road interchanges with both the North bound and South bound traffic being unable to access the N3 during said times. The closures are due to the demolition of the Ashburton bridge on the N3 North and South Bound as part of the N3 construction process. The traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic to the R103.” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KZN Provincial Specialist Geometrics Engineer.
The full road closures will take place as follows:
09 May 2025:
20h00 to 00h00 – Close N3 and proceed to demolish the Ashburton (Pope Ellis Drive) bridge
10 May 2025
00h00 to 00h00 (full 24 hours) – complete N3 road closure for continued demolition of the Ashburton (Pope Ellis Drive) bridge
11 May 2025
00h00 to 05h00 – Complete demolition, clean and reopen the N3 to all traffic
Note that Pope Ellis Drive will remain open to traffic during the demolition, although it will be under stop/go traffic control.
The available alternative routes are:
- Northbound Traffic (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) exit N3 at Lynnfield (Lion Park) off ramp onto the R103. Continue on the R103 to rejoin the N3 at Market Road Interchange.
- Southbound Traffic (Pietermaritzburg to Durban) exit N3 at Market Road off ramp onto Market Road and the R103. Continue on the R103 to rejoin the N3 at Lynnfield (Lion Park) Interchange.
The closure may need to be adjusted depending on the weather conditions on the day. SANRAL will keep the travelling public updated on progress and changes to the above through further media statements.
“Significant delays are likely to be experienced as the R103 cannot handle the same traffic volumes as the N3. Motorists, especially heavy goods vehicles, are urged to reschedule their trips to avoid traveling during the closure. If travel is unavoidable, please allow enough extra time to account for the delays. SANRAL wishes to apologize to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused,” said Lowe.
Motorists are urged to be patient while driving along the alternative routes, to plan and adjust their route trips ahead of time and to adhere to signage and speed limits.
Demolition Location
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:
FIGURE 1: ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR BLASTING.