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Traffic Advisory
Full road closure on Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange due to N3 Upgrade

 

Durban, 9 February 2024 – There will be a full closure of Lancaster Bridge from 26 February 2024 to 28 February 2025 over the N3 to facilitate the demolition and re-construction of Lancaster Bridge (B0461) as part of the construction process for the road upgrades from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced.

“The full closure will take place on Lancaster Terrace at both approaches to the bridge, which spans the N3. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor the closure of traffic during this period. Motorists will be redirected by means of signage to alternative routes via Langford and Dudley Road bridges,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

SANRAL understands that this will cause a major disruption to traffic flow and has done its utmost to minimise the impact. Motorists are urged to be patient during the closure and plan, adjust their travel times and adhere to the sign posted speed limits. This will ensure that they still arrive safely and on time at their destinations.
“For the safety of both the road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation measures will be in place. Motorists currently using this section of the N3 (between the Pavilion and the M13 split), as well as those using Lancaster Bridge will notice that signage, barriers and traffic calming measures are currently being installed,” said Lowe.
SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused to the motoring public and thanks them for their patience during this period.

Alternative Routes:

• The preferred (red) detour will take motorists coming from Lancaster Terrace onto Maryvale Road or Ferndale Ave, depending on the direction they are approaching from. Motorists will be guided by signs showing the alternative routes. These will be installed and maintained for the duration of the works.
• The preferred detour routes (red and blue) and road directions are provided in Figures 1, 2 and 3 below.

 

Figure 1: Alternate Routes and Directions

 

 

 

 

	Red Route • From Maryvale Road (South) • Turn right onto Circle Drive • Continue and turn left onto Marford Road. • Turn Left onto Langford Road • Turn left onto Ferndale Rd. then turn right into Lancaster Terrace and continue with your journey.
	Red Route • From Lancaster Terrace (North) • Turn left onto Ferndale Ave. • Turn right onto Langford Road. • After crossing Langford bridge turn right onto Marford Road. • Turn right onto Circle Drive • Turn left or right onto Maryvale Road to continue your journey
	Blue Route • From Maryvale Rd Turn left into Lancaster Terrace • Continue straight on Lancaster Terrace (East) • Turn right onto Dudley Road. • Continue straight under the N3 and turn left onto the M13 to Pinetown • Turn right onto Macdonald Road and continue straight onto the M13 on ramp to Westville and Durban.

Figure 2: Alternate Routes and Directions

 

 

 

RED – Alternate route over Langford Those coming from the north side of Lancaster bridge can turn left into Ferndale Ave, then right onto Langford, right onto Marford, and left on to Circle Drive. Then they can join Maryvale Road and head onto their destination. This route can also be used by those coming from the eastern side of Lancaster Terrace.

Blue – Alternate route Dudley Under pass Those coming from the south side of Lancaster bridge can turn left into Lancaster Terrace (East), then continue straight and turn right onto Dudley Road. Motorists can then turn right onto Macdonald Road and continue straight to the on-ramp onto the M13 which will lead them back to Westville or Durban.

Figure 3: Alternate Routes and Directions

 

MEDIA RELEASE
TRANSPORT MINISTER SINDISIWE CHIKUNGA RAMPS UP WAR ON POTHOLES AND OPENS R1 BILLION UPGRADE OF R23 IN MPUMALANGA

Standerton, Mpumalanga 6 February 2024 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga ramped up government’s war on potholes another notch yesterday as she inspected implementation of the Vala Zonke campaign and also inspected the world-class R1.1 billion upgrade of the R23 in Standerton, Mpumalanga.

Minister Chikunga said she was confident that the work which the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) did in upgrading the R23 would contribute to economic growth. “The R23 is a state-of-the-art road and I am very happy with the work done here, but you can’t then have roads that are riddled with potholes. As people leave the R23, they must then also find roads that are trafficable, so that investors will want to come to Standerton and set up businesses here and create jobs for our people,” she said.

Speaking after she helped workers to fix potholes in Standerton, Minister Chikunga said all levels of government needed to cooperate to ensure that potholes are fixed. “As government, we recognise that good roads help to grow the economy and that is why we are spending billions of rands to improve our infrastructure and build new roads to move people and goods. No investor will want to invest in a country which does not have good roads and that is why we have the Vala Zonke campaign, to ensure that our roads are repaired and maintained,” said Minister Chikunga.

“If taxis can’t transport people to work using good roads, then people won’t get to work and companies won’t be productive and the economy won’t grow. That is why we were fixing potholes here in Standerton today but also inspecting the R23, which was upgraded by SANRAL at a cost of no less than a billion rand.

“This shows what we are capable of, it showcases the talent of our engineers and in fact it tells the world and all South Africans about the engineering excellence that we have in our country. That is what we are celebrating today whilst we are also rising to the challenge of potholes,” said Minister Chikunga.

SANRAL is leading the Vala Zonke War Room with central management as well as technical support to eradicate potholes across the country. The use of nanotechnology as an international standard has aided improved road maintenance in the Vala Zonke campaign.

SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said the implementation of the Vala Zonke campaign in Standerton was a pilot project which would be rolled out going forward. “This project is showing what we always intended with Operation Vala Zonke. It’s a collaborative effort between all the different levels of government and SANRAL is providing the necessary technical support with its skills and resources. Here in Standerton, it is a collaboration with the municipality and the provincial government. We are assisting with the bags of material to ensure that it is the right product and also making sure that the quality of the work that is done and the level of compaction and is up to the right standard to make sure that we are not coming back here when the first rains come, to make sure potholes don’t reopen. This shows what is possible if we work together to end this serious challenge we have with potholes across the country,” said Demana.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Stop/Go on N2 Section 16 from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction

Eastern Cape, 2 February 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system will be implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The one-way Stop/Go will be implemented in two segments. The dates are as follows:

• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (63-67 Kms): 4 February to 11 February 2024.
• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T- Junction (52-56 Kms): 4 February to 11 February 2024

Motorists can expect 10- to 20-minute delays at each Stop/Go.

“The extensive scope of this project includes periodic road maintenance, surface patches, minor rehabilitation, resealing existing road surfaces and texture correction. Although these activities may result in temporary inconveniences, the substantial long-term benefits primarily revolve around preserving infrastructure. The preservation and improvement of road infrastructure not only guarantees smoother travel experiences but also play a crucial role in enhancing the economic and social well-being of the community,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL 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.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Placement of concrete barriers on N3 from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange will
result in road closure

 

Durban, 1 February 2024 – Concrete barriers will be placed on the N3 as part the construction process for the road upgrades from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 will have lane closures from 14 February 2024 to 29 February 2024 between the hours of 20h00 to 04h30. The lane closure will take place on the westbound slow lane of the N3/M13 offramp. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during this period,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused to the motoring public and thanks them for their patience during this period.

“Motorists are urged to be patient during the lane closure periods and to plan their route accordingly while adhering to sign-posted speed limits. We appeal to road users to adhere to the road signs and speed limit when approaching and travelling through the construction site,” said Lowe.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Blasting on the N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass

Eastern Cape, 31 January 2024: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users that the N2 will be intermittently closed between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass due to blasting operations taking place between 1 February and 26 February 2024.

The road will be closed on these days for a maximum period of three hours, from 14h00 to 17h00, to allow sufficient time for cleaning of the road and making it safe for road users.

Blasting operations are planned for the following dates:
• Thursday, 1 February 2024
• Monday, 5 February 2024
• Thursday, 8 February 2024
• Monday, 12 February 2024
• Thursday, 15 February 2024
• Monday, 19 February 2024
• Thursday, 22 February and
• Monday, 26 February 2024

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King Williams Town) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) may consider using the following alternative route:

• From East London, follow the R72 to Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea through to Nanaga, turn left onto the N2 and continue to Gqeberha.

Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha and Qonce or East London may consider using the following alternative route:

• From Gqeberha, follow the N2 to Nanaga, turn right onto the R72 at the junction at Nanaga and travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.

• From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to Qonce.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Routine road maintenance on CH Mitchell Bridge will result in intermittent closure of R61

Port Edward, 29 January 2024 – The CH Mitchell Bridge across the Mtamvuna River at the Wild Coast Casino on the R61 will be closed daily up to two hours at a time during the month of February 2024, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Intermittent full closures of the CH Mitchell Bridge will take place from 6 February 2024 on the R61. The north and south bound traffic will be unable to cross the bridge at the said times. The planned closures are necessary for the replacement of bridge supports and structural element refurbishment and replacement of the bridge,” said Siphesihle Mthembu, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The intermittent full road closures are proposed to take place as follows:

06 February 2024

12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement and structural element replacement.

09 February 2024

12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement.

22 February 2024

12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge structural element replacement.

26 February 2024

12h00 to 14h00 – Bridge support replacement.

There are no immediate alternative routes for these scheduled road closures and road users are requested to plan their trips for the stated disruption.

“The local traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will manage the process. Information boards on both sides of the bridge, confirming the closure times, will be erected for early notification,” said Mthembu.

The closure dates and times may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions leading up to the proposed closure. SANRAL will keep the travelling public updated on the progress and changes to the abovementioned dates and times through further media statements.

“SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused during the road closure. This is an unavoidable consequence of the maintenance work that is essential. We have attempted to minimise disruptions as far as possible and have restricted closures to hours when traffic is at its lowest volume,” said Mthembu.

Motorists are urged to be patient during the bridge closures, plan and adjust their route trips ahead of time and to adhere to signage and speed limits.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Road closure along the R75 south bound near Kariega

Eastern Cape, 25 January 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that the R75 near Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) at Union Avenue, travelling south- bound towards Gqeberha, is closed until 6 March 2024, to allow for the replacement of bridge bearings and joints as well as other roadworks.
• Traffic will be diverted off the R75 at the Union Avenue/R367 off-ramp at Kariega and proceed via the R367 to Despatch. Traffic can then rejoin the R75 or travel via Algoa Road to Despatch.
• The on-ramp used for entering the R75 south-bound from Union Road/R367 will also be closed.

Traffic to Kariega off the R75 will remain unaffected. Motorists are advised that information sign boards and all other speed-limiting temporary signs for the road closure will be placed along the construction zone.
The contractor’s traffic safety officer as well as the site safety officer will be present for the duration of this activity. Flag personnel will be placed at various locations along the R75.

“Road users are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and practice caution when using the alternate roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, Regional Manager for SANRAL Southern Region.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused in this regard.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Blasting cancelled on the N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass in January

Eastern Cape, 25 January 2024 – The blasting planned on section13 and 14 of the N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass has been cancelled for this month, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.
The blasting was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 25 January and on Monday, 29 January 2024. This effectively means there’ll be no blasting before the end of January on the two sections.

SANRAL says a new traffic advisory for February will be issued to advise motorists of the blasting dates and times. The upgrades to that section of the N2 will include improvements to the horizontal and vertical alignments, the provision of climbing lanes and construction of community access roads in three villages on the Peddie side of the project.

“The temporary road closures are unavoidable as SANRAL continues its work to upgrade the N2 in the Eastern Cape, which will ultimately benefit road users. Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises in anticipation for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closures.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Stop/Go on N2 Section 16 from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction

Eastern Cape, 25 January 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system will be implemented on the N2 Section 16 from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The one-way Stop/Go will be implemented on two-segments. The dates are as follows:
• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (63-67 Kms): 29 January to 4 February 2024.
• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T- Junction (52-56 Kms): 29 January to 4 February 2024.

Motorists can expect 10- to 20-minute delays at each Stop/Go.

“This project’s scope of work is extensive, encompassing periodic road maintenance, surface patches, minor rehabilitation, resealing of existing road surfaces and texture correction. While these tasks may cause temporary inconveniences, the long-term benefits are substantial, with a primary focus on infrastructure preservation. Preserving and enhancing the road infrastructure not only ensures smoother travel, but also contributes significantly to the economic and social well-being of the community,” said Mbulelo Peterson, Regional Manager for SANRAL Southern Region.

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.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Repairs to N2 between Izingolweni and Harding in KwaZulu-Natal set to begin

Durban, 20 January 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has begun to excavate a portion of the damaged section of the N2 between Izingolweni and Harding in KwaZulu-Natal to address the drainage issues and prevent further deterioration of the road.

“Following further inspection and consultation with the engineering consultant, it was agreed that the most effective solution is to start with the excavation immediately to allow for drainage from the dam to facilitate the necessary repairs to commence soon,” said Samantha Dladla, SANRAL’s Project Manager responsible for Routine Road Maintenance in the Eastern Region.
The Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) contractor has been instructed to begin with the work.
SANRAL, together with the engineering consultant, is currently in the process of designing a temporary detour and formulating plans for the road repairs.

The detour is approximately 800m and runs adjacent to the area of the N2 that collapsed. This will ensure minimal disruptions to the flow of traffic. The alternative route adjacent to the N2, once completed, will allow access to light (passenger) vehicles while heavy motor vehicles will continue to use the current alternative route via the P58/P59.

“The construction works on the detour and N2 repairs are scheduled to begin by end of January 2024. We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience to the public, and we apologise for any disruption it may cause. However, the safety of road users is our utmost priority, and we are committed to undertaking the repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Dladla.