Durban motorists advised of road closure

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has advised motorists of temporary road closures on the N3 Eastbound Carriageway at the M7 Pinetown off ramp and the N3 Westbound Carriageway at the St James Avenue off ramp as part of the ongoing construction of the upgrade to the N3. 

“These closures are to facilitate the placing of bridge beams on the Langford Road bridge as part of the construction process for the N3 road upgrade between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange,” SANRAL KwaZulu-Natal Geometrics Specialist Engineer, Jason Lowe said on Thursday.

The temporary road closures will take place as follows:

• Closure 1: Fast and middle lane closures on both East and West bound carriageways from 11:00 to 14:00, Saturday 6 December 2025. The slow lanes will remain open.
• Closure 2: Full closure of East Bound carriageway from 20:00, Saturday 6 December 2025 to 05:00, Sunday 7 December 2025. Traffic will be diverted via the M7 interchange off ramp to either the M7 South, M13 East/West or M19 North during this period.
• Closure 3: Fast and middle lane closures on both East and West bound carriageways from 11:00 to 14h00, Sunday 7 December 2025. The slow lanes will remain open.
• Closure 4: Full closure of both carriageways from 20:00, Sunday 7 December 2025 to 05:00, Monday 8 December 2025. East bound traffic will be diverted via the M7 interchange off ramp to either the M7 South, M13 East/West or M19 North during this period. West bound traffic should divert via the N2 at EB Cloete (Spaghetti junction) or will be diverted at St James Avenue interchange (Pavilion offramp).
• Closure 5: Fast and middle lane closures on both East and West bound carriageways from 11:00 to 14h00, Monday 8 December 2025. The slow lanes will remain open.
• Closure 6: Full closure of West Bound carriageway from 20:00, Monday 8 December 2025 to 05:00, Tuesday 9 December 2025. West bound traffic should divert via the N2 at EB Cloete (Spaghetti junction) or will be diverted at St James Avenue interchange (Pavilion offramp).

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place. 

Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period, find suitable staging areas or reroute via the M7 or M19 and N2 to avoid major congestion. 

Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of route closures and alternatives affecting their commuter routes. 

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

Closure locations:

Closure 2: N3 East Bound Closure (Pinetown to Durban):

• N3 East Bound fully closed at the M7 Interchange (exit 20 – Pinetown).
• Traffic will be diverted from the N3 onto the M7 via the N3 off ramp. From the M7 traffic can access either the M7 South, M13 East/West or M19 North.

Closure 4: Full closure of both East and West bound carriageways – note the diversion routes as per closure 2 and closure 6 figures.

Closure 6: N3 West Bound Closure (Durban to Pinetown):

• N3 West Bound fully closed at the St James Avenue Interchange (exit 13 – M32 Harry Gwala/St James Avenue/Pavilion).
• Traffic will be diverted from the N3 onto the M32 via the Exit 13 off ramp. From the M32 traffic will be directed onto the M13 and then back onto the N3 via the M7 interchange on ramp. As an alternative traffic can continue to the M13 to join the N3 at Key Ridge.

“SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience of these closures and appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling through the construction work zones,” Lowe said. – SAnews.gov.za