MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL working with National Disaster Management Centre to respond to dangerous conditions caused by snow on KZN roads
KwaZulu-Natal, 21 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and its concessionaire, the N3 Toll Concession (Pty) Ltd (N3TC), have closed the N3 national road at the Van Reenen’s Pass because of dangerous conditions, including black ice. The matter has been escalated to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and is being given the utmost priority, to ensure the safety of road users.
SANRAL and N3TC have mobilised operations to clear the snow on the affected sections of the N3, while several other emergency response teams are responding to various incidents on the road.
A full road closure remains in place between Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State. Icy conditions, wet weather and poor visibility are also being reported along other sections of the route causing dangerous driving conditions from KwaZulu-Natal through the Free State, the southern parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Traffic is being stopped at the Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith South Interchange in the Free State. The snowfall and sudden drop in temperature are causing black ice to form, making the roads at Van Reenen’s Pass slippery. There have already been reports of trucks losing traction, especially on the uphill sections. “Road users are advised to avoid the affected areas and delay or cancel any travel plans where possible, as more inclement weather is expected,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing. Follow @N3Route on X for regular, verified traffic updates or contact the 24-hour N3 Helpline on 0800 63 43 57 to report problems or for emergency assistance. SANRAL will also carry updates on its various digital platforms, including X and Facebook.
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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za