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UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Mobility now fully restored on N3 Toll Route

KwaZulu-Natal, 22 September 2024 – Following this weekend’s severe snowfalls, which caused major traffic disruptions, and had road users stranded for almost two days between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith, mobility is now fully restored on the N3 Toll Route, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

The extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State has been cleared.

Traffic authorities have assessed the area between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith and have given the green light for travel to resume, but with an important warning: Although the road is now safe enough for travel, it is highly recommended that road users only commence their trips from tomorrow.

“Daytime travel is always the safer choice,” concurs Thania Dhoogra, Chief Operating Officer of N3TC.

“We appeal to road users to plan ahead and be prepared for any eventuality before they set out on their journey. Pay attention to road and weather conditions, and stay informed. Conditions on a road can change rapidly as we have seen over the last few days,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

For regular, verified traffic updates follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.
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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Extremely slow, restricted traffic movement between KwaZulu-Natal and Free State

KwaZulu-Natal, 22 September 2024 – Road incident management teams have now begun to clear trucks and light motor vehicles that have been caught in the gridlock between Van Reenen and Swinburne (Montrose), the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

Extremely slow and restricted traffic movement is now being facilitated via Van Reenen’s Pass (in both directions between Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State) to clear the current backlog of traffic, many of whom have been stranded in the area since Friday night.

“Please note that the N3 remains closed to incoming traffic. Mobility will only be fully restored once all stranded vehicles, and those in the backlog have been removed from the area, and once authorities confirm that it is safe to do so,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

Road users are requested not to rush to make their way to the section of the route between KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.
“You will be caught up in the extensive backlog, creating further congestion and delays in the area,” said Mona.

SANRAL and N3TC appeal to road users to continue to adhere to all safety instructions, refrain from taking unnecessary risks and remain patient.
For regular, verified traffic updates follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
N3 remains closed between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith

KwaZulu-Natal, 21 September 2024 – The N3 remains closed to traffic between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith while multi-disciplinary rescue and recovery teams are working full steam to help clear the area between Van Reenen’s Pass and Swinburne (Montrose) of stranded trucks and light motor vehicles, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

Their efforts, however, are being hampered by road users attempting to circumvent road closure points and/or safety instructions.
“We know it has been a long, bitterly cold and tiring weekend, and we understand that you just want to be mobile again, but please work with the disaster management teams, not against them. When clear instructions are ignored or opposed, it puts an additional strain on resources and brings rescue efforts to a halt, negatively impacting on everyone,” explained Thania Dhoogra, Chief Operating Officer of N3TC.

Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing echoed Dhoogra’s appeal for compliance.

“Until we get total compliance and patience from road users, so the many stranded vehicles, as well as the extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State can cleared, cleanup and securing of the road cannot be completed and therefore full mobility cannot be restored,” said Mona.

All lanes in the vicinity of Van Reenen town towards the Swinburne/Montrose junction remain obstructed by a large number of gridlocked heavy- and light motor vehicles (some of which have been abandoned by their drivers or broken down).

Only light motor vehicles are currently being released southbound towards Tugela Plaza under escort of traffic officials. All trucks continue to be stacked in the area.

For regular, verified traffic updates follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Road reopened to clear traffic at Van Reenen’s Pass

KwaZulu-Natal, 22 September 2024 – The road has been REOPENED to clear traffic at Van Reenen’s Pass, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and N3TC Route Services will now commence to slowly escort stranded road users out of the area in the southbound lanes (towards KwaZulu-Natal).

Graders and rescue teams are continuing to clear a safe passage for road users stranded in the vicinity of Swinburne/Montrose.
“Please remain patient while the next phase of the rescue and recovery operation is being completed,” said Vusi Mona SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

Road users are advised to carefully follow the instructions of rescue teams and road traffic officials once they receive the go ahead to proceed.
Please drive slowly and with the utmost caution and care.

“As we gear up to reopen the N3 Toll Route, SANRAL and N3TC would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all disaster relief organisations, road incident management teams, humanitarian groups, local farmers, and community associations who have provided emergency services and essential aid to stranded motorists. Your selfless efforts exemplify dedication and compassion in action. You are the real heroes of the N3 Toll Route,” said Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3TC.

“We also wish to thank every road user who remained patient, vigilant, and compliant under very trying circumstances,” said Mona.
“It was a tremendously difficult period for everyone affected, but you have been phenomenal in demonstrating resilience and strong spirit,” said Dhoogra.

For regular, verified traffic updates, please follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf (SANRAL). For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Gradual progress in rescue and recovery efforts amid N3 Toll Route closure

KwaZulu-Natal, 21 September 2024 – Rescue and recovery operations are progressing well, but the N3 Toll Route remains closed to incoming traffic at present, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

With the exception of the section between Van Reenen and Swinburne (Montrose), all stranded road users along the N3 Toll Route have now been assisted, and the roadway has been cleared of heavy snow.

Additional resources, including more graders, have also been redeployed to assist on Van Reenen’s Pass. Disaster management officials from both KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State are working tirelessly from both directions towards the top of Van Reenen’s Pass.

As soon as this phase of the rescue operation is complete, road incident management system teams will commence with the application of a brine solution on road surfaces along the route to assist in preventing the formation of black ice.

“Please continue to be patient as the emergency teams work to get to all stranded road users,” said Vusi Mona SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

For regular, verified traffic updates, please follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.
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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf (SANRAL). For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Gradual progress with rescue and recovery operations

KwaZulu-Natal, 21 September 2024 – Disaster management teams are making gradual progress with rescue and recovery operations, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have announced.

With snowfall having eased slightly, graders are now slowly approaching the top of Van Reenen’s Pass. They are being followed by emergency services and humanitarian relief workers who will provide much needed assistance to stranded road users.

However, road users are warned that conditions along the N3 Toll Route remain treacherous despite the current break in the incessant snowfall. Visibility along the route is poor as cold and wet weather conditions continue.

The risk remains high for more snowfall and the formation of black ice as temperatures drop into the night.
“We therefore, reiterate our appeal to road users to delay all travel to the affected region until advised by authorities that it is deemed safe to do so,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

For regular, verified traffic updates follow @N3Route on X or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 for emergency assistance. Also follow updates from SANRAL via X and Facebook.

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

TRANSPORT MINISTRY URGES MOTORISTS TO COMPLY WITH TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND DELAY NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS

The Minister of Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy, and the Deputy Minister, Mr. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, are advising motorists traveling between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to delay their trips due to severe weather conditions.

Heavy snowfall continues to blanket the N3 highway, particularly between Warden and Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal, making travel extremely hazardous. The Ministry is deeply concerned about the situation, especially as many travelers spent the night stranded at filling stations and along the N3, unable to move due to the road closures.

Minister Creecy and Deputy Minister Hlengwa are receiving regular updates through the Road Traffic Management Cooperation and SANRAL on the ongoing rescue efforts coordinated by state agencies and other stakeholders. Emergency services, including paramedics and other necessary personnel, are being deployed to assist those affected.

The N3 Toll Route remains CLOSED between Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State due to the dangerous snowy conditions.
Motorists are urged to avoid the affected areas, and follow the guidance of authorities, and prioritize their safety by delaying non-essential travel.

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ISSUED BY: National Department of Transport

Media Contact:
Collen Msibi
National Spokesperson
066 476 9015