Major traffic disruptions are expected on one of South Africa's busiest freight corridors after construction began on SANRAL's R6 billion upgrade of the N3 between the Mariannhill Toll Plaza and Key Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal.
The project covers an 11.1-kilometre section of the N3 and forms part of the South African National Roads Agency's (SANRAL) programme to improve the strategic freight corridor linking the Port of Durban with the country's economic heartland. Construction is expected to take 60 months to complete, SANRAL says,
Motorists and freight operators have been warned to expect significant delays through the construction zone, where speed limits will be reduced to 40 km/h for heavy vehicles and 60 km/h for light vehicles.
"While every effort will be made to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow within the project limits, road users should anticipate delays and plan their journeys accordingly," said SANRAL KwaZulu-Natal project manager Nondumiso Mabaso.
Traffic accommodation measures have been implemented and will remain in place throughout construction. SANRAL said traffic would be diverted via the M13, N3 service roads and local municipal roads when major incidents occurred within the work zone. During the contractor's annual December/January shutdown period, a minimum two-way traffic flow would be maintained through the project area.
The upgrade includes widening and rehabilitating the existing N3 carriageways, constructing two new launched viaduct bridges, upgrading drainage infrastructure, building retaining walls and major culverts, improving lighting and signage, and installing new concrete median barriers. The project includes a new truck stop at the Kassier Road interchange and a truck arrestor on the downhill approach to the Mariannhill Toll Plaza.
SANRAL said the project followed a three-month mobilisation period that included stakeholder engagement and procurement aimed at facilitating the participation of local businesses and targeted enterprises. The agency said the upgrade was intended to improve the long-term safety, mobility and capacity of one of South Africa's most important transport corridors.
