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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting on the N2 between KwaBhaca and eMaXesibeni, Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 11 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify road users of scheduled blasting that will take place on the N2 between KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere, and eMaXesibeni, formerly Mount Ayliff, at approximately 15h00 on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

The blast will take place approximately 15.6 kilometers from KwaBhaca toward eMaXesibeni. During this time, the road will be closed for up to 30 minutes.

Motorists traveling from Kokstad to Mthatha, should consider taking one of these alternate routes:

• Exit the N2 at Matatiele and take Tlokoeng (formerly Mount Fletcher) route, or
• Go via Flagstaff and Lusikisiki to Port St Johns on the R61, then rejoin the N2 in Mthatha.

The alternative routes are about 69 kilometers longer and may add around 50 minutes to your trip.

Motorists traveling from Mthatha to Kokstad can use the same alternate routes.

“We urge motorists to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and take caution while using the roads,” advised Mabuyi Mhlanga, Acting Regional Manager for SANRAL’s Southern Region.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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MEDIA STATEMENT

SANRAL calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore R75 route in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

Gqeberha,11 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has called for greater collaboration from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and other stakeholders to restore the R75 road to acceptable safety standards.

“SANRAL has experienced challenges since the appointment of the routine road maintenance (RRM) contractor for national roads within the metro, who has had only intermittent site access and has been unable to perform the maintenance required to improve road safety along portions of the network, including the R75. The contractor was prevented from carrying out its duties by the actions of individuals and groups claiming to be from adjacent municipal wards who demanded to participate in the RRM project,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Regional Manager for the Southern Region.

He further stressed that “as a result, conditions were unsafe for the contractor to carry out the necessary work on the R75 until consensus is reached. Furthermore, the RRM project has experienced incidences of vandalism and theft of the infrastructure, specifically along the R75, for which the replacement rate has become unsustainable.”

SANRAL has over time held several engagements with municipal stakeholders as well as the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to find a resolution to the challenges.

“The Office of the Executive Mayor was also approached to intervene, including during Mr Retief Odendaal’s tenure as the Metro’s Executive Mayor. He was unable to help to resolve the issues. While we acknowledge the concerns raised by Odendaal, we dispute that SANRAL had failed to make any attempts to resolve the challenges around the R75,” said Peterson.

“SANRAL’s mandate is to build, manage and maintain the national network so it therefore is unreasonable to expect the roads agency to single-handedly resolve the challenges around the R75 – including theft and vandalism of the road infrastructure, project disruptions and delays, as well as instances of extortion all of which have negatively impacted the RRM project within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.”

“SANRAL is engaging with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, law enforcement through the local and provincial South African Police Service (SAPS), the business community through engagement with the NMB Business Chamber, and the local

community to address the challenges and to work towards a resolution,” added Peterson.

SANRAL is urging stakeholders to collectively address these challenges, not only in the short term but also into the future.

Protracted delays in the appointment of SMMEs due to differing procurement policies – SANRAL’s open tender approach versus the municipality’s ward selection-based approach – have now been resolved and the first round of SMMEs have been appointed and begun work on the RRM contract.

The second round of subcontracts will be advertised in September with the intention to appoint more SMMEs by November 2024.

The Freeway Management System (FMS) is under construction, which will soon be implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to also assist with the monitoring of vandalism on the R75 and N2 routes, as well as to improve the safety measures on SANRAL’s network. The FMS, Zone 1 and 2, is anticipated to be completed by June 2025.

“As custodians of the traffic signals, the municipality is in the process of piloting a hardened traffic signal solution at a selected intersection along the R75. In partnership with NMBM, we are hoping this pilot is successful and depending on available financial provisions, could be extended once the Interim Traffic Monitoring Centre (ITMC) is operational and specific protocols are put in place,” said Peterson.

“It is the plan that the ITMC will be operational from June 2025. In discussion with the NMBM, we are considering monitoring some of the identified traffic signals from the ITMC which will include 24/7 CCTV surveillance, infra-red and thermal technology, tamper and proximity alarms and the ability to work with law enforcement and private security to respond to suspicious activities.”

On the matter of the recent unfortunate crashes along the R75, the conflict points have generally been the intersections and where general poor road user behaviour is a primary contributor. The general moving infringements and traffic violations must be addressed and prioritised.

“As government works to find a more permanent solution to the theft of its traffic lights, SANRAL will work with the traffic law enforcement to see how we can assist and support,” said Peterson.

Furthermore, through its engagements with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, SANRAL will pursue public private partnerships where the business community can partner on some of these initiatives i.e. ‘Adopt a Traffic Signal’ or by provision of private security services. It is also SANRAL’s plan to involve the community through further consultation and community-based projects.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closure on N7 at Malmesbury R45 Overpass

Western Cape, 10 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced lane closures from 11 to 26 September on the N7 at the Malmesbury R45 Overpass (Checkers Mall Link Road), which is currently being rehabilitated.

“To minimise the disruption to road users, one lane will always remain open, allowing for two-way traffic,” said Bongani Masombuka, SANRAL Project Manager.

The works will include special repairs and coatings to the entire structure, to repair all cracks and spalling. This involves spalling repairs on the columns, crack injection, and cement fibre coating.

“We urge road users to exercise caution, reduce speed, adhere to warning signs within the construction area, and always be on the lookout for road construction workers,” said Masombuka.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused by these necessary upgrades. These short-term disruptions are, however, vital for long-term road safety enhancements that will benefit all road users.

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MEDIA RELEASE

R6 billion worth of work in the market for Western Cape and Northern Cape

 

Western Cape, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has awarded 36 tenders worth R4.2 billion in the Western Region (Western Cape and Northern Cape) since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with 12 tenders worth approximately R2 billion currently being evaluated.

Randall Cable, the Regional Manager for the Western Region, said this aggressive drive to put out work into the market speaks to SANRAL’s commitment to economic recovery.

“The SANRAL footprint is growing and a continuous pipeline of projects both to maintain and develop our national road network is key to stimulate economy growth and the creation of job opportunities,” said Cable.

He reiterated that SANRAL has made tremendous progress on its periodic maintenance programmes in the Western and Northern Cape, with several resurfacing projects recently completed or in the final stages of completion.

• N2 Cape Town upgrade – A portion of the N2 between Swartklip Interchange and Baden Powell Interchange, approximately 12km in length, adjacent to Khayelitsha and Mfuleni in the City of Cape Town, is currently under design. The project entails the upgrading from a four (4) lane to six (6) /eight (8) lane divided highway, four (4) major interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure.

A 6km portion of the N2 needs to be raised due to increased water levels. The project will make a significant contribution to road safety by formalising pedestrian and public transport facilities within the N2 road reserve, including the replacement of the old street lighting. Channelising pedestrians to safe crossing points is key to the safety improvements.  The detailed design is being finalised. The project cost estimate is approximately R2 billion, and the construction tender is to be advertised in November 2024.

• N2 Garden Route – The R160 million dualling of the Thembalethu Bridge over the N2 in George was recently completed, providing safer access to communities. This was a jointly funded project with the George Municipality.  Major upgrades and improvements of the N2 from Kraaibosch to Touw River in the Wilderness, are currently under construction with more works planned in Phase 2 between the Touw River and Die Vleie.  The combined estimated value of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the N2 Wilderness upgrades is more than R1,5 billion.

 

• N1, Old Oak to Koelenhof – The detailed design has been completed for the N1 improvements for approximately 13 km, between Old Oak and Koelenhof interchanges, with an estimated cost of more than R3 billion. The project entails upgrading from four (4) lanes to a six (6)/eight (8) lane divided highway, five (5) major interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure, including street lighting over the entire length. SANRAL is in final preparations to go to market for this project.

 

• N7 upgrade – Work on the upgrades to the N7 in the Western Region is ongoing and has already seen more than R3.5 billion invested into the economy, with more than 40km of dual carriageway freeway and eight interchanges constructed, the last of which was completed in 2020. Nearly R1 billion was spent on targeted enterprises over the last 10 years. The current R600 million upgrades between Malmesbury and Moorreesburg is due for completion in early 2025.  There are other periodic contracts on the go and more recently awarded.

 

• Huguenot Tunnel – The tunnel has been operating for more than 36 years, allowing more than 112 million vehicles to pass through safely. In keeping with international safety standards as well as meeting the mobility demands of the significantly increased traffic volumes that come with urban development, SANRAL is upgrading the tunnel. Extensive improvements have been made to the existing tunnel (South Bore) in the last 24 months, which include upgrades to the tunnel lighting, ventilation and fire detection systems. The upgrade of the second tunnel (North Bore) is overdue and the final detailed design has recently been completed. SANRAL is preparing to go to market shortly on this five-year construction contract. The project will cost approximately R4 billion to complete.

 

• N9 Colesberg to Northern Cape/Eastern Cape border – The resurfacing of the N9 was recently completed to the tune of R200 million, of which approximately R60 million was spent on targeted enterprises. Further resurfacing along the N9 is still under construction.

SANRAL had also completed a Community Development (CD) project in the town of Noupoort. This CD project augmented the economic opportunities for locals, by creating work for at least 100 individuals. It was designed to maximise labour-intensive construction methods, which includes the construction of block streets and the use of pre-cast kerbing. Furthermore, 13 work packages were created for subcontracting and all the subcontractors were drawn from Noupoort. The work was completed at a cost of R16 million, with R4.8 million spent on labour.

• N8 Kimberley to Campbell – The 100km resurfacing of the N8 between Kimberley and Campbell was recently completed at a cost of R160 million. Of that, approximately R66 million was spent on subcontractors. SANRAL is currently undertaking work from Campbell to Groblershoop, which is in various stages of design and construction.

“SANRAL remains committed to using its procurement power not only to improve the road infrastructure across the Western and Northern Cape but also to ensure genuine transformation where smaller black-owned businesses will have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the economy,” said Cable.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting between Ashburton and Market Road will result in N3 Closure.

Pietermaritzburg, 10 September 2024 – Part of the N3 will be completely closed on 17 September and 19 September 2024. This is to facilitate blasting next to the N3 near Bellevue, as part of the N3 Ashburton to Market Road upgrade project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 closure will take place between the Ashburton and Market Road Interchanges. Closures will also be necessary on Pope Ellis Drive from R103 intersection to Ashburton Interchange in the vicinity of the blasting activities,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

“Traffic accommodation team with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will monitor the diversion of traffic during the closure.

The full road closure will take place as follows:

17 September 2024 (Tuesday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 secondary road for all vehicles.

19 September 2024 (Thursday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 secondary road for all vehicles.

The R103 route will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays are, however, likely as the R103 is unable to handle the same volume of traffic as the N3.

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 ask motorists to be patient during the closure and to plan and adjust their trips, especially their departure times, to accommodate the closure while still adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during the ongoing road construction,” said Lowe.

 

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:

FIGURE 1: ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR BLASTING.

NOTE: ASHBURTON/ POPE ELLIS WILL BE CLOSED FOR BLASTING TRAFFIC WILL BE DIRECTED VIA THE R103 ROUTE. THE TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE MARKET ROAD OFFRAMP TO THE N3 MAINLINE AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 1 ABOVE IN RED.

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL rolls out major investment for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West

Pretoria, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced major investments in critical road infrastructure for its Northern Region. This follows the recent announcement of a R50 billion investment by SANRAL CEO Reginal Demana on Monday.

Demana declared that the roads agency plans to invest R50 billion into the South African economy through new tenders. R15 billion worth of contracts have been awarded since the first of April which marks the beginning of the current financial year.

“I am happy to announce that we are currently evaluating 96 tenders worth R35 billion, while 86 contracts worth R15 billion have already been awarded since the start of the 2024/25 financial year on 1 April 2024” he said.

Demana said the tenders currently under evaluation are spread across the country, but the majority falls under the Northern Region which comprises of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. SANRAL’s Northern Region manages approximately 9 500km of the national road network, making it the agency’s largest region.

According to Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Regional Manager, 34 tenders worth R16.5 billion are earmarked for the region and will have a major impact on the economy.

“These are exciting times for the industry, this investment means more opportunities for local businesses and jobs for our people. In line with the CEOs announcement, we have ensured that we fast-track the rollout of work packages for critical projects in the region,” said Hlahla.

Hlahla says the agency has recently awarded a R893 million contract for construction of an 11,7km stretch of the R573 project in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, as part of the multi-billion-rand development of the Moloto Road Corridor. Work on the rehabilitation of the old N1 in the Musina CBD has started as well. This is an investment of R227million for improvement of 5.8km stretch of road. A total 8% of the contract value will be spent on targeted labour from the Musina area, while 30% would be spent on targeted enterprises which have at least 51% black ownership.

In May 2024, the roads agency introduced four community development projects worth R787 million in Limpopo. The following project were introduced to traditional leadership, road forums, taxi and bus associations, and communities in the affected areas:

• The R144-million D2919 road, which spans from Tshikanoshi to Malebitsa, Sekhukhune District Municipality.
• The R132-million D3878 road, which connects Calais to Ga-Sekororo, Mopani District Municipality.
• The R251-million D3187 road, which stretches from Mageva to Makhuva in the Mopani District Municipality.
• The R260-million D3810 road, which stretches from Thomo to Hlomela in the Mopani District Municipality.

The first packages on the project are currently underway with some local companies subcontracted for ancillary works.

Hlahla says these projects will have a significant impact on the socio-economic landscape of the country. He said more projects are still in the pipeline for the 2024/2025 financial year and these will go a long way to boost the local economy.

Projects in the northern region

Some of the major projects in this region include the N4 in Pretoria CBD, N1 Musina Ring Road, R37 in Burgersfort, the R573 Moloto Road Development Corridor which spans across three provinces (Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo), R510 towards Thabazimbi, R504 in Wolmaransstad, and the N2 from Ermelo to the KwaZulu-Natal border.

Northwest

SANRAL has also started with a R1.3 billion construction project on the R52 between Koster and Rustenburg in the North West province. Additionally, the resurfacing of the R512 between from R104 intersection to Brits is progressing well. The R504 Between Wolmaransstad and Leeudoringstad has been completed and the portion from Leeudoringstad to the Free state border is currently under construction. This investment is over R400 million and has created over 500 job opportunities for local labour. Furthermore, work on the N12 in Wolmaransstad and in Bloemhof has commenced with approximately R500 earmarked for the resurfacing of the N12 in these towns.

Limpopo

Major works are planned on the R516 with over a billion rand earmarked for the upgrade of this critical road. Additionally, the R101 in Bela Bela is set for a major upgrade as well to ensure motorist travel safely in this area. The work on the R510 between the Northwest/Limpopo border and Thabazimbi is progressing well, with over R1 billion having been earmarked for this project. This has added many jobs and subcontracting opportunities to the local economy.

Mpumalanga

SANRAL has completed most of the resurfacing work on the N17 between Chrissiesmeer and the Oshoek border post, has been completed having spend over R500 million and creating approximately 240 jobs. The N2 between Ermelo and the KZN border is due for a major upgrade, with five packages having already been advertised and currently under evaluation. The Panbult interchange is currently under construction and the N2 between Bloemendal and Piet Retief has recently been awarded to the value of approximately R3.8 billion. All the other phases are earmarked for award later this financial year.

Gauteng

The repair of the N1 pavement layers in the south of Johannesburg towards the Vanderbijlpark is almost complete, with over R400 million having been spend and approximately 300 jobs created. Additionally, rehabilitation of the R21 between Pomona and Olifantsfontein is progressing well, with the repair of both sinkholes on the R21 and N1 being at an advanced stage. SANRAL will be going to market soon for the resurfacing of the GFIP network in Gauteng. This will be done in stages to minimise traffic disruption.

Three priority projects have been successfully completed which include the N1 Musina Ring Road costing R700 million, and the R37 in Burgersfort, which was completed at a cost of R1 billion.

Additionally, 7km of the Moloto Road project in Limpopo has been completed, with construction continuing in both the Mpumalanga sections. Construction will extend to include the entire corridor, covering the Gauteng section as well.

The N1 Musina Ring Road project created 281 jobs for locals, and 132 individuals received training at a cost of R411,462. Additionally, 20 local subcontractors were employed.

The R37 project in Limpopo, completed at a cost of one billion Rand, created 423 jobs and trained 149 individuals. A total of R80 million was allocated to community development initiatives.

Further improvements have been undertaken on the R510 towards Thabazimbi, R504 in Wolmaransstad, and the entire N2 from Ermelo to the KwaZulu-Natal border. These projects aim to enhance the efficient flow of freight, ultimately boosting productivity in the affected towns.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Temporary Road Closures, with Stop/Go, on the R555, Steynsdrift to Steelpoort River, Limpopo Province

Limpopo, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users of the temporary road closures, with a Stop/Go system operating on the R555 national road, Section 3, from Steynsdrift (km 44.0) to the Steelpoort River (km 63.0).

The road section is situated near the DeHoop Dam. These closures are necessary to facilitate the road improvement works and are in place both day and night.

Closure Details:

• Dates: From September 2024 until the end of April 2025.
• Times: Day and night operations will be in place.
• Duration: Stop/Go traffic management will be in operation, leading to potential delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours.
• Closure Lengths: The closure lengths may vary but should not exceed 4km unless required for safety reasons.

The national road agency advises motorists to plan their trips accordingly and appreciate their patience and cooperation during these essential road upgrades. SANRAL remains committed to improving the safety and quality of national roads.

“The road improvement works on the R555 national road are a critical part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the infrastructure in the Limpopo region,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Regional Manager.

“While we understand that the temporary closures and Stop/Go systems may cause some inconvenience, these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of both our construction teams and road users. We are working diligently to minimise disruptions and complete the upgrades within the scheduled timeframe.”

Motorists are requested to adhere to the traffic accommodation signage and the flag persons advanced warnings when applicable. SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Projects valued at R25 billion are currently under construction N2 and N3 in KwaZulu Natal

Caption:SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana (in pink vest) receiving a briefing from main contractors in the Key Ridge to Hammarsdale project

 

 

Caption: Artist’s impression of the finished EB Cloete Interchange

Durban, 9 September 2024 – There are currently nine packages under construction on the N2 and N3 in KwaZulu Natal to the value of R25 billion, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N2/N3 programme is well on track since we started in 2021. We currently have got nine packages under construction, 7 on the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and two on the N2 which is the Kwa-Mashu to Umdloti and EB Cloete Interchange projects in eThekwini,” said Dudley Mbambo, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Acting Regional Manager.

The R1.2 billion KwaMashu Interchange to Umdloti project started in August 2021 and is due for completion in the last quarter of 2025. The M41 pedestrian bridge, to be undertaken as a Community Development and Road Safety project is a much-needed safety measure on this project and its completion is of utmost importance.

“We need to ensure the safety of all road users are prioritized including pedestrians. There are households next to the M41 highway and people crossing to go to work in various places. These people must be provided with a pedestrian bridge that will make it safe to cross the highway,” said Mbambo.

Major strides have been achieved on the R5 billion EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) project which started in May 2023. Construction is 15% complete as at end of July 2024 and the targeted enterprises have earned well over R35 million.

This project aims to increase the capacity of the EB Cloete Interchange and 8.1 kilometers of the N2 and N3 in the vicinity back to acceptable service levels through the addition of new lanes on the Interchange ramps and the carriageways of the N2 and N3.

“There are currently 20 lanes in the interchange and the upgrades will increase that capacity to 32 lanes in all directions. The upgraded interchange and adjacent N2 and N3 will provide additional lanes that will reduce traffic congestion and delays to the travelling public upon completion,” said Mbambo.

Of the total cost, the cost of the steel arch which is pivotal to the functioning of the interchange is approximately 5% of the overall cost to a value of R240million, while the roads works and structures costs are approximately R2,5billion and R1,6billion respectively.

Exempt Micro Enterprises (EME) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) subcontractors and suppliers will also benefit through the subcontracting of approximately R1,25 billion to Targeted Enterprise subcontractors and suppliers, with up to 121 subcontract packages and 19 supplier packages anticipated to be awarded to Targeted Enterprises.

“Labour is employed from the local community with an approximate R333,6 million anticipated to be spent on hourly wages over the 5-year contract period. A total of R22,6 million is anticipated to be spent on training that would include 160 learnerships, 150 technical skills, 650 generic skills, and 16 CIDB method 2/3/4,” said Mbambo.

The R4.57 billion N3 upgrade project between Key Ridge and Hammarsdale commenced in May 2023. The Key Ridge to Hammarsdale project upgrade will play a major role in alleviating traffic and bring about much needed safety in the area. The steep gradients, excessive super-elevation and curvilinear alignment results in many heavy vehicles overturning at the bottom of the valley resulting in closure of the N3 for lengthy period of time. This section of the N3 will be realigned to a greenfields portion resulting in a much straighter alignment with much flatter gradient.

The construction, scheduled to take 51 months, will upgrade the existing roadway to a five-lane divided dual carriageway starting in the south at Key Ridge, near the M13 interchange, at km 2,8 and continuing to just before the Hammarsdale Interchange at km 8,825.

The project is divided into three distinct construction phases:

• Phase 1: Widening of the existing northbound carriageway to accommodate five lanes of contraflow traffic (2 lanes northbound and 3 lanes southbound).
• Phase 2: Divert all traffic to the newly widened northbound carriageway. Construction of the new five-lane southbound carriageway as a greenfield project.
• Phase 3: Divert all traffic to the newly constructed southbound carriageway. Construction of the new five-lane northbound carriageway as a greenfield project.

“This project, which comes at a cost of R4.57 billion, was necessitated by high crash statistics as well as poor condition of the pavement, which is over 40 years. The upgrade will increase safety but also significantly improve the level of service for the next 30 years,” said Mbambo.

In line with SANRAL’s transformation objectives, at least R1.1billion will be subcontracted to SMMEs while just over R392 million will be spent on local labour.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

N3 closure to facilitate blasting between Ashburton and Market Road

Pietermaritzburg, 6 September 2024 – Part of the N3 will be fully closed on 10 and 12 September 2024 to facilitate blasting next to the N3 at the Ashburton Interchange, as part of the N3 Ashburton to Market Road upgrade project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 closure will take place between the Ashburton and Market Road Interchanges. Closures will also be necessary on Pope Ellis Drive from R103 intersection to Ashburton Interchange in the vicinity of the blasting activities,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will monitor the diversion of traffic during the closure.

The road closure will take place as follows:

10 September 2024 (Tuesday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 and secondary road for all vehicles.

12 September 2024 (Thursday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 secondary road for all vehicles.

The R103 route will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays are, however, likely as the R103 is unable to handle the same volume of traffic as the N3.

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 ask motorists to be patient during the closure and to plan and adjust their trips, especially their times of departure, to accommodate the closure while still adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during the ongoing road construction,” said Lowe.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:

FIGURE 1: ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR BLASTING.
NOTE: ASHBURTON/ POPE ELLIS WILL BE CLOSED FOR BLASTING TRAFFIC WILL BE DIRECTED VIA THE R103 ROUTE.THE TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE MARKET ROAD OFFRAMP TO THE N3 MAINLINE AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 1 ABOVE IN RED.

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