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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SANRAL N2/N3 EB CLOETE UPGRADE • ROAD CLOSURES • ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Durban, 14 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the following temporary road closures for the placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2.

North Bound Closure: 20:00, Saturday 18 May 2024 to 04:00, Sunday 19 May 2024.

South Bound Closure: 20:00, Sunday 19 May 2024 to 04:00, Monday 20 May 2024.

This major road network is and has been under major stress for a number of years, as traffic volumes have exceeded the original design capacity of the EB Cloete Interchange and its feeder roads. The King Cetshwayo Bridge was built in the late 1960s and now cannot accommodate the extra lanes below it.

This current work forms part of a major national road network upgrade that is being undertaken throughout the province to relieve traffic congestion. The N2 Northern and Southern between the EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) and the Umgeni Road Interchange will be closed respectively on Saturday and Sunday nights for eight hours.

These closures are to enable the placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2 near Westwood Mall as part of SANRAL’s major upgrade of the N2 North and South bound, and the EB Cloete Interchange. Road closures will take place at various points in a radius outward from the EB Cloete Interchange.

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place and people using this road will have noticed that signage, barriers and traffic calming are already being installed.

Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas over this timeframe to avoid major congestion. Public transport operators must ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routings.

Light vehicle traffic, as well as emergency services and traffic management are advised to make use of alternative routing.

A detailed alternative routing guide can be found on this link: http://www.nra.co.za

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

NORTH BOUND CLOSURE: 20:00, SAT 18 MAY 2024 TO 04:00, SUNDAY19 MAY 2024.

N2 closed as follows at EB Cloete Interchange (AKA Spaghetti Junction) N3/N2 Interchange

N3 West bound (Durban to Pinetown):

• Ramp to N2 North (to Umhlanga/King Shaka International Airport)

N3 East bound (Pinetown to Durban):

• Ramp to N2 North (to Umhlanga/King Shaka International Airport)

N2 North Bound (Amanzimtoti to Umhlanga):

• On N2 North Freeway (to Umhlanga/King Shaka International Airport)

SOUTH BOUND CLOSURE: 20:00, SUN 19 MAY 2024 TO 04:00, MONDAY 20 MAY 2024.

Umgeni Road (M19)/N2 Interchange

• M19: No access to N2 South

Inanda Road Interchange

• N2 South Bound: No access to N2 South

SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past 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.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Full closure of the N3 to facilitate blasting at the Market Road Overpass Bridge

Pietermaritzburg, 12 May 2024 – The N3 will be fully closed on 22 May 2024, 5 June 2024 and 12 June 2024 between the hours of 14h30 and 15h00, to facilitate blasting next to the N3 Market Road Overpass Bridge in KwaZulu Natal, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

This work will be undertaken as part of the N3 upgrade project from Gladys Manzi Road to New England Road Interchange.

“The N3 closure will take place between the Ashburton and New England Road Interchanges. Closures will also be necessary on the following secondary roads in the vicinity of the blasting activities:

• Market Road at Van Eck Place
• Alan Paton Ave at Blackburrow Road

Our traffic accommodation team with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during all sessions” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The full road closures will take place as follows:

22 May 2024, Wednesday

14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and secondary roads and blast.

14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on all roads.

15h00 – Reopen N3 and secondary roads for all vehicles.

5 June 2024, Wednesday

14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and secondary roads and blast.

14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on all roads.

15h00 – Reopen N3 and secondary roads for all vehicles.

12 June 2024, Wednesday

14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and secondary roads and blast.

14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on all roads.

15h00 – Reopen N3 and secondary roads for all vehicles.

The R103 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.

“Motorists are urged to remain patient during the closure and are advised to plan and adjust their routes while adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience during the ongoing major road enhancements.” said Lowe.

 

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Stop/Go on N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction, in the Eastern Cape

Gqerberha, 6 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system has been implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The 4km one-way Stop/Go system will be in place from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T- Junction from 8 May to 17 May 2024. Motorists can expect a 10- to 20-minute delay at the Stop/Go.

“The road maintenance encompasses routine upkeep, surface repairs, handling minor damages, resealing and adjusting textures. Although these activities may lead to temporary inconvenience, their substantial long-term benefit lies in preserving the infrastructure,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL appeals to motorists to adhere to the warning signs, to reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and to plan their trips accordingly as there are no surfaced alternative routes available.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Huguenot Tunnel open to all traffic

Western Cape, 8 May 2024 – The Huguenot Tunnel is currently open to all traffic, in both directions, as of 01h30 today. This after a serious crash between a heavy motor vehicle and a bakkie with a trailer, just before 19h00 yesterday, 7 May caused a full tunnel closure, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Rescue services were quickly on scene and attended to injuries and thankfully no fatalities occurred due to the crash. Provincial Traffic redirect traffic via the alternative route while the emergency response and tunnel maintenance teams retrieved the wreckage and cleared all debris. The teams had cleared the scene and ensured it was safe to re-open the road by 01h30 this morning and the tunnel remains fully open to all traffic,” said Mike Vinello-Lippert, SANRAL Project Manager for the Huguenot Tunnel.

SANRAL will keep the public updated on the tunnel operations.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Huguenot Tunnel closed to all traffic

Western Cape, 7 May 2024 – The Huguenot Tunnel is currently closed to all traffic, in both directions, following a crash between a heavy motor vehicle and a bakkie with a trailer around 7pm today, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

Rescue services are on scene and attending to injuries, while Provincial Traffic is on hand to direct traffic via the alternative route.

“The tunnel will remain closed in order to retrieve the wreckage, clear all debris, and assess and effect repairs to the infrastructure inside the tunnel” said Mike Vinello-Lippert, SANRAL Project Manager for the Huguenot Tunnel.

SANRAL will keep the public updated on the tunnel operations.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Full closure to accommodate blasting alongside the N3 near the Peacevale Interchange

Durban, 7 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that the N3 will be fully closed on 23 May 2024, between 14h30 and 15h00, to facilitate blasting next to the N3 opposite the Peacevale Interchange, as part of the N3 Section 2 Realignment Project.

“The N3 closure will take place between the M13/N3 split and the Hammarsdale Interchange. Closures will also be necessary on the following secondary roads in the vicinity of the blasting activities:

• Meadway Road at Thousand Hills Street intersection.
• Sterkspruit Road at Capital Hill Drive intersection.
• D706 Road accessing Peacevale.

“Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during all sessions,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The full road closures scheduled for Thursday, 23 May 2024 are proposed to take place as follows:

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

The R103 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 their route trips to accommodate the closure while adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused during road construction,” said Lowe.

ENDS//

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

CHANGES IN TRAFFIC ACCOMMODATION AT UMLAAS ROAD INTERCHANGE ON N3 SECTION 2

Pietermaritzburg, 6 May 2024 – The southbound off-ramp onto the R103 to access the Umlaas Road (Umbumbulu) Interchange (no 61) on the N3 between Camperdown and Pietermaritzburg will be temporary relocated and the R103 temporarily diverted onto a portion of the newly constructed N3 on 15 May 2024, said Jason Lowe, SANRAL Eastern Region Project Manager.

Motorists travelling in a southerly direction on the N3 from Pietermaritzburg towards R56, Richmond, Thornville or Umbumbulu are advised to take the relocated temporary off-ramp onto the R103 (as per the red route indicated in figure 1 below) and follow the R103 onto a portion of the N3 to the Umlaas Road Interchange (as per the purple route indicated in figure 2 below).

Motorists intending to travel north on the R103 from R56, Richmond, Thornville or Umbumbulu towards Pietermaritzburg are advised that the R103 north of the Umlaas interchange will be temporarily closed. Travelers should therefore take the temporary relocated R103 at Umlaas road interchange, the purple route indicated in figure 2 below.

Figure. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The temporary relocation of the R103 is necessary to construct a new on-ramp onto the N3 at Umlaas road interchange.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

ENDS//

 

 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga inspects R340 million upgrade of R22 in
KwaNgwanase Town, Kwazulu-Natal

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga at the official opening of the R22 in KwaNgwanase with iNkosi Tembe of
KwaNgwanase and MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison in KZN

KwaNgwanase Town, 3 May 2024 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga officially opened the R340 million upgraded R22 in KwaNgwanase Town in the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, undertaken by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

“Today we are again making history in the most rural part of South Africa, where under normal circumstances there would not be such development. This section of the road through KwaNgwanase Town was upgraded from one lane to two lanes per direction by SANRAL. This construction led to people being employed, skills were developed,SMMEs were given the opportunity to construct the road. With any road that we build as the Department of Transport, it is not only for the transportation of goods and the transportation people, but it is also about the growth of the economy,” said Minister Chikunga.

Minister Chikunga inspected the 3km stretch of the R22 which included a 2.8km bypass road which was completed in June 2023. The work through town includes additional travel lanes and new sidewalks, while the 2.8km IYK bypass road was upgraded to surfaced standard as part of this project. This road will provide improved long-term local access to the community.“This is a state-of-the-art road, the quality is superb and therefore we do not anticipate any potholes in the near future. As we construct roads as SANRAL, we also budget for maintenance and therefore ours is a complete package of construction and maintenance,” added Minister Chikunga.

The Minister added that there will be further construction with the building of two dual lanes coming into and exiting the town creating further jobs for local communities.

Stressing the importance of the R22, Minister Chikunga said: “This is a national road because it now connects South Africa to Mozambique, and today this road is open for transportation of people and goods, and for use for the growth of the economy in the area. This road will also attract tourists to this area as we have the Smangaliso Wetlands here which is one of the largest wetlands in the world.”

Other benefits to the community include the construction of 52 market stalls where some of the informal traders within the R22 road reserve are to be relocated. With regard to the stalls built by SANRAL, Minister Chikunga said that the Agency places much significance on the informal traders as they are the people who are the future of South Africa’s economy. The manner in which these have been built is for the safety of these traders. We know that there are people here and they too deserve better.”

Commenting on opportunities that were created for local communities, the Minister stressed that “R94m was spent on Small Medium and Micro enterprises (SMME), a portion of which has gone to women and persons living with disabilities owned companies. It’s been a comprehensive package that takes into account not only all vulnerable people but also the target groups including young people, women, people living with disabilities.

“It’s not only about construction of roads but about skills development, job opportunities being created, it’s about people who own companies who sometimes join on Grade 1 but by the end of the project they’ve improved on their grades.”

Assessing the progress on the Operation Vala Zonke Pothole Repair Programme in the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, Minister Chikunga said that “not only should roads be trafficable, they should also be free of potholes because they are too costly for road users, leading to vehicle damages and accidents. Therefore, the work that is being done today is to ensure that our roads are trafficable.”

Regarding contracts for local SMMEs and subcontractors, SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said “434 labour was employed with a total spend of R59m. This project stimulated the local economy. One of the most important aspects of the R22 is that it connects South Africa with Mozambique at the Kosi Bay border post. We need to expand these roads because this area includes the world famous Smangaliso Wetlands which attracts many tourists from within our country and abroad”.

At the public engagement, Minister Chikunga distributed bicycles to learners from surrounding schools as part of the Shova Kalula Bicycle Handover Project.

ENDS//

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Traffic disrupted by taxi operators’ strike in Eastern Cape towns

Gqeberha, 2 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise road users that a strike by taxi operators has disrupted
traffic on most national roads in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Taxi operators blocked the roads using their minibus taxis and trucks, over alleged non-payment of scholar transport claims since the start of the year.

The strike has affected learners, workers and ordinary motorists travelling to other centres. The blocked roads include the N2 and R63 west of Qonce, R72 between East London and Tsholomnqa, N2 outside Butterworth, N2 at Colosa Junction outside Dutywa, R61 at Cofimvaba and the R56 Khowa, formerly known as Elliot. In some areas, tyres were burnt on the road as a form of protest.

Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, has confirmed that there are challenges, some technical while others are beyond the department’s control. “Some emanate from the ongoing discussions with the taxi industry where we were pleading with them back in January/February to sign contracts to facilitate payments. However, there was stalling on their side which partly contributed to the problems we are faced with now. It is not related to the
unavailability of funds.”

SANRAL apologises to motorists for any inconvenience that the strike has caused and hopes that the relevant parties are able to reach an agreement so that the blocked roads are re-opened.

Motorists are asked to use alternative roads where possible.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SANRAL N2 and N3 EB Cloete upgrades and road closures

Durban, 2 May 2024 – Placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2 will result in temporary road closures, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The road closures will take place as indicated below:

• North Bound Closure: 20h00, Saturday 11 May 2024 to 04h00, Sunday 12 May 2024.
• South Bound Closure: 20h00, Sunday 12 May 2024 to 04h00, Monday 13 May 2024.

“This major road network is and has been under major stress for a number of years, as traffic volumes have exceeded the original design capacity of the EB Cloete Interchange and its feeder roads. The King Cetshwayo Bridge was built in the late 1960s and now cannot accommodate the extra lanes required on the N2 below it,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

This current work forms part of a major national road network upgrade that is being undertaken throughout the province to relieve traffic congestion. Both the N2 Northern and Southern sections between EB Cloete Interchange (Spaghetti Junction) and Umgeni Road Interchange will be closed on Saturday and Sunday nights for eight hours.

“These closures are to enable the placement of bridge beams for the new King Cetshwayo Bridge on the M13 over the N2 near Westwood Mall as part of SANRAL’s major upgrade of the N2 and the EB Cloete Interchange,” said Lowe.

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place and people using this road will have noticed that signage, barriers and traffic calming is already being installed.

Trucks and other heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas over this timeframe to avoid major congestions. Public transport operators are asked to ensure that their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routings.

Light vehicles as well as emergency services and traffic management are advised to make use of alternative routes.

 

Ends//