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MEDIA RELEASE

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NATIONAL ROADS IN LIMPOPO DUE TO FLOODING

Limpopo, 14 January 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users of the temporary closure of certain national roads in the Limpopo province that have been severely affected by flooding as a result of adverse weather conditions experienced across the province.

The incessant rainfall has led to rising water levels, leading to unsafe driving conditions in affected areas. In the interest of road user safety, SANRAL has implemented precautionary closures on the affected routes until further notice.

AFFECTED NATIONAL ROADS CURRENTY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

• National Road R527 in the Hoedspruit area within the Maruleng Local Municipality. (Alternative road is the R40 from Acornhoek through Hoedspruit towards Phalaborwa.
• National Road R578 from south of Phalaborwa towards Giyani. (alternative road is the R71 towards Tzaneen and take R36 & R81 to Giyani).

ROADS STILL OPEN TO TRAFFIC BUT EXPERIENCING HEAVY RAINS:

• National Road R81 in the Giyani town
• R36 between Groblersdal and Stofberg
• R555 between Stofberg and Rosenekal

“We strongly advise road users to avoid the affected roads and make use of alternative routes where possible. Further communication will be issued once detailed assessments have been done, and the affected national roads are safe to be re-opened to traffic,” said Madoda Mthembu, SANRAL Limpopo Provincial Head.

SANRAL appeals to all road users to prioritise safety and remain informed through official communication channels.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON N2 UMHLANGA RIVER BRIDGE TO FACILIATE BRIDGE DECK WIDENING

Durban, 13 January 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises motorists of the upcoming temporary fast lane closures on the Umhlanga River Bridge. The closures are required to complete the works for widening of the bridge deck.

“The N2 upgrade project between the KwaMashu Interchange and the uMdloti Interchange is progressing well. Once complete the N2’s capacity will be significantly improved to a total of 5 lanes in either direction between the KwaMashu and Mount Edgecombe Interchanges and 4 lanes in either direction thereafter to the uMdloti Interchange,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu Natal Specialist Geometrics Engineer.

The temporary road closures will take place as follows:

• N2 fast lane closure (both directions) at the Umhlanga River Bridge from 19:00 on Friday, 16 January 2026 to 04:00 on Monday, 19 January 2026

“While one lane per direction will still be open to traffic the speed limit will be reduced to 40km/h. This is required to ensure that vibrations within the bridge, caused by traffic, are kept to a minimum so that freshly poured concrete is given enough time to gain strength to resist the normally expected vibrations,” said Lowe.

Heavy delays are expected on the N2 unless trips are delayed or re-routed. Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas. Public transport operators are urged to ensure their drivers are aware of the anticipated congestion and consider alternative routes. The alternative routes available are the M4 and the R102.

 

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RE-ISSUE TRAFFIC ADVISORY

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES ON M13 OFF RAMP AT PARADISE VALLEY FOR PREPARATION OF OVERPASS BRIDGE JACKING

 

CLOSURE LOCATIONS:

Closures 1 and 2: N3 West Bound closure of M13 off ramp at Paradise Valley (Exit 17 – N3 from Durban to M13 Pinetown/Kloof):

• M13 Off Ramp at Paradise Valley (Exit 17) fully closed.
• Traffic will continue on the N3 Westbound Carriageway and may join the M13 via the M1 Richmond Road interchange.

Figure 1: N3 to M13 Off Ramp Closure at Paradise Valley (Exit 17) – Detour Routes

“SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling through 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”, added Lowe.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

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

Eastern Cape, 19th December 2025 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a shoulder closure and reduced speed limit will be implemented on the R61 Section 6 between All Saints (km 68.50) and Baziya (km 78.60), where construction activities are underway.

During the shutdown period from 12 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, shoulder closures will be in place from km 68.50 to km 69.60 for road widening works, and from km 73.60 to km 78.60 for permanent works along the R61.

Motorists can expect a delay of about 10 minutes or less and the required reduction in traveling 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

CONTRACT SANRAL X.003-022-2019/1-C6
EMERGENCY BRIDGE REPAIR WORKS (REPAIR OF BRIDGES ALONG THE N2 SECTION 16 MDANTSANE TO THE GREAT KEI RIVER)

Traffic advisory for period 11 December 2025 to 07 January 2026

Eastern Cape 17th December 2025: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that the N2 National Road between Mdantsane (Section 16 Km 0,0) and the Great Kei River (Section 16 Km 80,22) will be open to traffic in both directions. No stop / go or lane restrictions will be in operation on this road section. However, road users should be vigilant and adhere to the maximum speed limit as per the road signs.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, 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

Lane Closure on the R342 from Nguni River Lodge to Paterson

Eastern Cape, 17th December 2025: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to advise road users that there will be only one lane closure throughout the December 2025 and January 2026 shutdown period from KM 16,70 to KM 20,70 along the R342 route.

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

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, 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

CONTRACT SANRAL R.063-156-2014/1
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF NATIONAL ROUTE R63 SECTIONS 15 AND 16 FROM BHISHO (KM 5.8) TO THE N6 BRIDGE INTERSECTION (KM 1.0)

Traffic advisory for the period 11 December 2025 to 07 January 2026

Eastern Cape 11th December 2025: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that the R63 National Road between Bhisho (Section 5 – km5.9) and the N6 link road (Section 5 – km28) will be open to traffic in both directions. There will be no stop / go sections in place, however, road users should be vigilant and adhere to the maximum speed limit of 60 km per hour whilst travelling through the construction site.

“Motorists are requested 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.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

CONTRACT SANRAL R.58-050-2023/1
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF NATIONAL ROUTE R56 BETWEEN MATATIELE AND THE
KZN BORDER.

Eastern Cape, 11th December 2025: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify road users that there will not be any roadworks on the road during the shutdown period between 12 December 2025 and 6 January 2026.

The west bound lane of the road has a restricted lane width of three metres, and there are several speed reduction humps in place at various places. Some potholes may develop because of rain, but all potholes present will be repaired.

There will not be any stop/go sections in place.

The alternative route to the Western Cape is via the N2 through Mthatha.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, 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

The route between Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) and Addo to open for two-way traffic

SANRAL would like to inform road users that the route between Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) and Addo will be open for two-way traffic from the 12th of December 2025 to the 6th of January 2026. Road users must approach the following areas with caution due to ongoing construction work:

• Sunday’s River and Bezuidenhout’s River Bridges – The traffic has been shifted to the right-hand side of the bridge. Traffic will be driving on the old and new roads. The speed limit over the bridges is 40 km per hour.
• This section of the road does not have a centerline. The centerline will be pre-marked and temporary road studs will be placed.

The road is a construction site, and motorists are advised to observe the temporary signs and speed limit of 60 km per hour. No overtaking is permitted.

“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.

EMERGENCY TRAFFIC ADVISORY
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ON N3 BETWEEN THE PINETOWN OFF RAMP AND St. JAMES AVENUE OFFRAMP FOR PLACEMENT OF LANGFORD ROAD BRIDGE BEAMS

Durban, 09 December 2025 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise motorist of temporary road closure on the N3 Westbound Carriageway at the N3 Westbound / Exit 13 offramp, for the placement of U-beams at Langford Bridge, as part of the ongoing construction of the upgrade to the N3.

“This closure are to facilitate the placing of Beams on Langford Bridge(B0460) as part of the construction processes for the N3 road upgrade from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu-Natal Geometrics Specialist Engineer.

The temporary road closures will take place as follows:

• N3 West Bound Carriageway Closure:
• Closure: A full closure of the N3 West Bound on the 10th of December 2025 from 20:00 to 05h00 on the 11th of December 2025.

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place.

Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period, find suitable staging areas or reroute via the M13; M1 or M7 to avoid major congestion. Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routes.

All road-users are advised to plan their routes ahead of time and where possible leave for destinations earlier than usual.

CLOSURE LOCATION:

Closures 1: N3 West Bound Closure (Durban to Pinetown):

• N3 West Bound fully closed at the St James Interchange (exit 13 – M32 Harry Gwala/St James Avenue).

• Traffic will be diverted off the N3 onto the M32 via the Exit 13 off ramp. From the M32 traffic will be directed onto the M13 and then back onto the N3 via the M7 interchange on ramp. As an alternative traffic can continue to the M13 to join the N3 at Key Ridge.

 

Figure 2: Closure 2 – N3 Westbound Closure. Detour via M13 and M7

“SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling through 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”, said Lowe.