N3 bridge demolition to cause weekend closure, Murray Road shut until 2026

Murray Road Alternative Route
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30-09-2025
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The Witness
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Murray Road will be fully closed in both directions between Ivy Road and Hereford Circle from 18 October, Saturday, until July 2026.



The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has announced temporary road closures on the N3 and Murray Road to allow for the demolition of the existing Murray Road Bridge and the construction of a new one.



The N3 between Ashburton Interchange and Market Road Interchange will be fully closed in both directions from 6 pm on Saturday, October 18, until 4 am on Monday, October 20.



Murray Road, between Ivy Road and Hereford Circle, will also be fully closed from 6 pm on Saturday, October 18, until the end of July 2026 for the bridge demolition and reconstruction.



Motorists will be rerouted via the new Market Road to Cleland Road link over the N3.



Jason Lowe, Sanral’s KZN provincial specialist geometrics engineer, said the project is part of the next phase of Sanral’s capacity and safety improvements to both the N3 and the Msunduzi road network.



“Demolition and ultimate reconstruction of the Murray Road Bridge forms part of this work. Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate, have carefully planned the closures and will manage and monitor them for their full duration,” he said.



The new link road from Market Road (Mkondeni) to Cleland Road (Hayfields) will soon be opened as construction progresses on the N3 upgrade between Gladys Manzi and New England Road Interchange.



Diversions:



  • N3 northbound (Durban to Pietermaritzburg): Traffic will be diverted at Ashburton interchange via Pope Ellis Drive, the R103 towards Pietermaritzburg, and Market Road back to the N3.
  • N3 southbound (Pietermaritzburg to Durban): Traffic will be diverted at Market Road interchange via the R103 to Ashburton, Pope Ellis Drive, and back to the N3 at Ashburton.
  • Murray Road: Motorists are advised to use the new Market to Cleland Road link, or alternative routes via CB Downes Road (R103) and Market Road, depending on direction of travel.


Sanral has urged motorists to plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra travel time during the closures.



 

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