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MEDIA ALERT

N3 KEY RIDGE TO HAMMARSDALE INTERCHANGE UPGRADE: N3 SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY SHIFT TO CONTRAFLOW

Durban, 22 April 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise motorists of an extended closure of the N3 Southbound Carriageway between the Hammarsdale Interchange and the N3/M13 Interchange at Key Ridge.

“Realignment of the N3 between the Hammarsdale Interchange and Key Ridge requires that existing Durban-bound traffic be switched onto the widened Northbound Carriageway in a contraflow direction. This is necessary to facilitate the construction works of the new Southbound Carriageway as part of the N3 Upgrade Project. The Southbound direction will have two lanes from the Hammarsdale Interchange to the Sterkspruit Bridge, increasing to three lanes thereafter. The Northbound direction will have three lanes operational throughout the project limits,” said Sanchia Rajkumar, SANRAL’s Project Manager.

No significant impacts are expected for road users in terms of trip routing or navigational decisions while traversing the project site.

The shift of the existing N3 Southbound Carriageway will take effect between the 23rd and 26th of April 2026 and will be in place for approximately two years when traffic will be shifted back onto the newly constructed Southbound (Durban-bound) carriageway.

“Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the switchover of traffic to ensure a smooth transition. We advise motorists that reduced speeds will be enforced through the work zone and urge road users to exercise caution, whilst adhering to the speed limits,” said Rajkumar.

Major Project Milestones

The diversion of the traffic onto the widened northbound carriageway to contraflow traffic flow is a major milestone since the Commencement of the project in May 2023. This will result in substantial increase in construction activities which will be unhindered by the existing traffic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 – Overview of New Traffic Flow Configuration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2 – Traffic Crossovers and New Lane Configuration

 

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

R531 AND R40 NATIONAL ROADS BETWEEN HOEDSPRUIT AND ORPEN KRUGER GATE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

Polokwane, 20 April 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise road users that the R531 National Road between the R40/R531 intersection south of Hoedspruit and Orpen Kruger Gate has been closed to traffic.

“The closure is a result of a major stormwater culvert that was washed away last night (Sunday, 19 April 2026) because of heavy rain in the area. Motorists travelling to or from the Kruger National Park are advised to use the Canhuk Drive from the R40 intersection in Acornhoek and follow the indicated route that is shown on the attached map to by-pass the affected area,” said Madoda Mthembu, SANRAL’s Provincial Head for the Limpopo Province.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the road safety signs and proceed with caution on the alternative route,” added Mthembu.

 

 

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

FOR BLASTING ON THE N2 BETWEEN KWABHACA AND EMAXESIBENI

Eastern Cape, 20 April 2026: The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that blasting is scheduled to take place on the N2 national road between KwaBhaca and EmaXesibeni on the following dates. The road will be closed for a maximum of 30 Minutes.

• On the 24th of April 2026, blasting will take place at approximately 9 KM from KwaBhaca when travelling towards EmaXesibeni
• On the 27th of April 2026, blasting will take place at approximately 7 Km from KwaBhaca when travelling towards EmaXesibeni

Motorists travelling from Kokstad towards Mthatha may consider the following alternative route:

• Exit the N2 at Kokstad and onto the R56 route towards Matatiele to Nqanarhu via Tlokoeng and then take the R396 route to Tsolo and the N2 or via Flagstaff, Lusikisiki to Port St Johns via the R61 and then re-join the N2 in Mthatha.

Similarly, motorists travelling from Mthatha towards Kokstad may consider using the same route:

• The shortest alternative route is 69 kilometres longer and may add approximately 50 minutes to your trip between Mthatha and Kokstad.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and to use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

2 Alternative routes
Alternative route no 1 – N2 at Matatiele to Mount Fletcher route

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative route no 2- via Flagstaff, Lusikisiki to Port St Johns via the R61 and then re-join the N2 in Mthatha.

 

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSPORT MINISTER BARBARA CREECY ASSESSES PROGRESS MADE ON R40 NATIONAL ROAD DAMAGED BY HEAVY RAINS IN MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

 

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently undertook a site inspection of the R40 national road that was damaged by floods in Mpumalanga Province

Mbombela, 13 April 2026 – Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, together with the Mpumalanga Province’s MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Thulasizwe Thomo, and senior government officials, this week undertook a site inspection to assess progress made on the R40 national road that was damaged by heavy rains in January this year.

The Mpumalanga Province experienced heavy rainfall in January this year. This resulted in severe flooding, widespread infrastructure damage, displacement of communities, and disruption to economic and social activities. Key strategic roads such as the R40, R37, and the R36 were damaged during the floods. The R40, which connects Mpumalanga and Limpopo, was the most severely damaged route on the SANRAL’s Mpumalanga network.

Speaking at the site inspection, Minister Creecy said that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will spend approximately R265m for repair works on all its roads that were damaged by the Mpumalanga floods.

“On the R40 national road, SANRAL has five sites where the road was damaged due to embankment slippages, the extent of the slippage varies from site to site. Of those five sites, construction work has already started on three sites and the remaining two are in the final stages of procuring a contractor. A total of 11 sites on the R37 have already been repaired by SANRAL’s Routine Road Maintenance teams, the remaining five more sites are at the final stage of procuring a contractor. The damage on the R37 is not as severe as the damage on the R40,” said Minister Creecy.

Minister Creecy also said that SANRAL has also started works on the D518 and the D526 roads. These are important roads under the jurisdiction of the Mkhondo Local Municipality because they lead to the eSwatini boarder, facilitating movement of people and goods and services between the two countries of South Africa and eSwatini.

“We would also like to report that we have taken steps to ameliorate the frustration that has been caused to road users by the eight-kilometre road between Lydenburg and Bambi. We have managed to get into partnerships with the mining companies that work in the area, and they have indicated that they are prepared to spend between R60 and R100m to repair that road in the interim, while we finalise our plans for the permanent solution. Of course, that road carries a lot of trucks from the major mining towns in Mpumalanga,” added Minister Creecy.

SANRAL’s Provincial Head for Mpumalanga Province, Mabuyi Mhlanga, also added that SANRAL has made enormous investments in the province.

“One of the major roads that we are upgrading is the N2 national road, which traverses from the KwaZulu-Natal border towards Ermelo. This portion of the road will be upgraded and expanded to a dual carriageway with two to three lines in opposition directions. The upgrade of the Moloto Road is also underway. This is an important project from a road safety point of view as this road carries heavy traffic, and it has unfortunately claimed many lives in the past,” said Mhlanga.

SANRAL also continues to do construction work on the N11 national road between Hendrina and the N4. Additionally, SANRAL’s Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) work continues on the 937km of roads that were recently handed over to the roads agency by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government in December 2024.

To date, SANRAL manages a total of 4 700km in the Mpumalanga Province.

ENDS-

MEDIA RELEASE

THE RATIONALE BEHIND SANRAL’S REST AND SERVICE FACILITIES POLICY

9 April 2026, Pretoria –The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently embarked on the public consultation process for amendments to the Rest and Service Facilities Policy (RSF Policy) to give effect to the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair in accordance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000 (Act 3 of 2000) (PAJA).

The 2026 draft RSF policy underscores transformative, sustainable, and safe RSF development along the national road network; and it is in accordance with section 217 of the constitution regarding equitable share, fairness, transparency, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. In the main, the RSF Policy seeks to promote transformation and inclusive participation of South Africans using state owned land and commercial properties, says SANRAL Spokesperson, Mr Vusi Mona.

Unlike the previous 2021 policy, the amended RSF Policy now incorporates the New Energy Vehicles (NEV), especially the Electric Vehicles (EV) charging stations and battery swooping or switching facilities. All new and existing facilities require approval from SANRAL in accordance with sections 44 and 48 of the SANRAL Act, while taking into account sections 34 and 26(g) as well as section 50 regarding outdoor advertising billboards or signage.

In line with SANRAL’s distinct mandate to develop, finance, manage, maintain, control, plan and rehabilitate South Africa’s proclaimed national road network, SANRAL seeks to monetise its immovable assets in line with the Horizon 2030 Strategy which is guided by section 25 of the SANRAL Act. To grow the portfolio and drive long-term sustainable income, leasing, development, and alienation of commercial properties and high value land parcels (greenfield) will be key, while complying with its policies and legislation including the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000, and the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003. The Agency will therefore follow a process that is transparent, fair, equitable and competitive.

Contrary to recent media comments by Zero Carbon Charge, SANRAL is empowered to impose rates and levies and implement its revenue generating activities and monetise its immovable assets in accordance with the SANRAL Act, particularly section 34 and 26(g) and other relevant sections. In particular, Section 34 requires that the Funding of Agency is premised on (i) income generated through developing, leasing out or otherwise

managing its assets within the scope of this Act; and (ii) any other levies and any fees, rentals or other moneys charged by and payable to the Agency in terms of this Act. Additionally, private businesses requiring direct access and egress from the national road are required by law to pay levies in terms of the SANRAL Act of 1998. The 1998 rates card (levies) remains in force.

The Rest and Service Facilities Policy is mainly grounded in sections 44 and 48 of the SANRAL Act regarding authorisation required from SANRAL for any business requiring direct access and egress from the national road. Private landowners or developers are required to submit written applications to SANRAL for any planned development to assess the traffic impact, road safety, engineering standards and compliance with legislation. In the event that the proposed development is located in an area other than an urban area, is on, over or below the surface of a national road or land in a building restriction area and is situated either 60 metres from the boundary line of a national road or within a distance of 500 metres from any point of intersection – written approval must be obtained from SANRAL prior to construction. In consideration of these applications, section 48 of the SANRAL Act will apply.

SANRAL’s responsibility towards motorists and users of the Rest and Service Facilities is to ensure, amongst others, road safety on the national roads.

-ENDS

Traffic Advisory

PARTIAL ROAD CLOSURES ON THE R336 BETWEEN ADDO AND NQWEBA, EASTERN CAPE

Eastern Cape, 30 March 2026 —The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to inform road users that the route between Nqweba and Addo along the R336 will be affected by partial road closures during the upcoming Easter holiday period, effective from the 31st of March 2026 until the 6th of April 2026.

Affected Areas are:

•Bezuidenhout’s River Bridge
•Sunday’s River Bridge

Both bridges will operate under single-lane traffic, managed by traffic control personnel. Delays at each closure will be approximately 10 minutes, although all efforts will be made to reduce the closure times.

The road consists of sections without line markings. These areas will be pre-marked and have temporary road studs.

The route is still part of a construction project, so the speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour with no overtaking.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and to use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caption: The upgrade is taking place between Bezuidenhout River and Addo. (The route is marked red on the map.)

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

LANE CLOSURE ON THE R61 SECTION 6 FROM ALL SAINTS TO BAZIYA

Eastern Cape, 30th March 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to inform road users of a lane closure on the R61 Section 6, between All Saints, KM 68.80 and Baziya KM 78.20. This lane closure is ongoing, and the goal is to complete Section 1 (KM 68.50 to KM 77.27) at the end of April 2026 and Section 2 (KM 77.27 to KM 86.65) at the end of May 2026.

To accommodate the Easter weekend traffic volumes, there will be no lane closures from the 1st of April 2026 to the 7th of April 2026. Lane closures will resume on Wednesday, the 8th of April 2026.

A stop-and-go between KM 68.80 and KM 69.70 is in place to accommodate road widening works. A second stop-and-go is in place at patching sections between KM 77.20 and KM 78.30.

“Motorists can expect a delay of between 10 to 20 minutes or less and the required reduction in travelling speed will be posted along the closure to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, to reduce speed when approaching the construction zone and to use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN THE KWABHACA CBD ON THE NATIONAL ROUTE N2 SECTION 19 IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

Eastern Cape, 27th March 2026: The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that construction works in the KwaBhaca CBD on the N2 section 19, KM 92,4 to KM 95, is in progress and the traffic flow restrictions through the CBD will therefore continue over the April 2026 Easter weekend.

Traffic will be accommodated by two-way traffic, one lane in each direction through the KwaBhaca CBD, divided by steel barriers in the middle.

Motorists travelling from Kokstad towards Mthatha and vice-versa, may consider the following alternative routes:

Exit the N2 at Kokstad and onto the R56 route towards Matatiele to Nqanarhu via Tlokoeng and then take the R396 route to Tsolo and the N2 or via Flagstaff, Lusikisiki to Port St Johns via the R61 and then re-join the N2 in Mthatha. Similarly, motorists travelling from Mthatha towards Kokstad may consider using the same route.

The shortest alternative route is 69 kilometres longer and may add approximately 50 minutes to your trip between Mthatha and Kokstad.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and to use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

2 Alternative routes
Alternative route no 1 – N2 at Matatiele to Mount Fletcher route

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative route no 2- via Flagstaff, Lusikisiki to Port St Johns via the R61 and then re-join the N2 in Mthatha.

 

 

 

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Temporary Lane Closures on N3-12 northbound carriageway, Gauteng Province

Gauteng, 25 March 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users of planned traffic disruptions on the N3 Section 2 northbound carriageway. The planned closures of the slow lanes are due to the subsidence observed on this section of road.

“SANRAL closed the lanes as a precautionary measure while it investigates the subsidence of the outer lane resulting from possible undermining under the road. Undermining in this area is often associated with illegal mining” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Gauteng Provincial Head.

“Following the identification of the subsidence, temporary traffic accommodation measures have been implemented on site. These measures included the installation of road markings to divert traffic away from the affected slow lane as well as the temporary closure of the subsidence area. We have also partnered with the Council for Geosciences on satellite monitoring of some of our high-risk areas” added Hlahla.

SANRAL urges all road users to:

• Plan their trips accordingly.
• Adhere to the traffic accommodation signage and the flag persons advance warnings, and
• Exercise patience and caution while navigating the affected area.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and the roads agency remains committed to improving the safety and quality of our national roads.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

BLASTING WORKS ON THE R63 BETWEEN BHISHO AND KEI ROAD

Eastern Cape, 24TH March 2026: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that blasting will take place on the R63 Section 5 (Km 18) between Bhisho and Kei Road on the 1st of April 2026 between 15:00 and 16:00.

The road will be closed for one hour to allow sufficient time for the blasting and cleaning-up operations and to ensure safety for the travelling public.

Unfortunately, there are no suitable alternative routes in this section. Any alternative routes would take a longer travelling period than the waiting period at the closure.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.