Durban — The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) has announced alternative routes for motorists during the installation of the temporary pedestrian bridge over the N3 at Rockdale Road which will lead to full road closures between St James Avenue/Harry Gwala Road Interchange and the EB Cloete Interchange.
- N3 eastbound lane closure: 8pm on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, to 12am on Thursday, 31 October 2024.
- N3 westbound lane closure: 12am on Thursday, October 31, 2024, to 4am on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
The closures will first take effect on the eastbound carriageway followed by the closure on the westbound carriageway – on the same evening.
Sanral Eastern Region project engineer Corné Roux said: “These closures are to allow for the installation of a temporary pedestrian bridge to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians commuting between Chesterville and Westville due to the Rockdale Bridge being demolished at the end of August 2024.”
This is part of Sanral’s continuous drive to ensure pedestrian safety on its road network.
Roux said that for the safety of road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place.
He advised truck and heavy vehicle drivers to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas during this time frame to avoid major congestion.
Additionally, public transport operators should ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routes.
He also advised light vehicle traffic, emergency services and traffic management, to use alternative routes.
All road-users are advised to plan their routes ahead of time and where possible, leave for destinations earlier than usual.
“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,” Roux said.
Alternative route options:
N3 eastbound closures (Pinetown to Durban)
- N3 eastbound fully closed at St James Avenue/Harry Gwala Road Interchange – off-ramp to Westville/Pavilion Shopping Centre will remain open
- St James Avenue loop ramp will be closed from the Pavilion to Durban
- St James Avenue left slip closed from Westville to Durban
N3 westbound closures (Durban to Pinetown)
- N3 westbound fully closed at EB Cloete Interchange (AKA Spaghetti Junction) – motorists can only proceed to the N2 north or south
- N2 northbound off-ramp closed at Spaghetti Junction from eManzimtoti to Pinetown
- N2 southbound off-ramp closed at Spaghetti Junction from Umhlanga Rocks to Pinetown
A detailed alternative route guide is included below: