SANRAL Announces Night-Time Closures on N3 Between St James Avenue and EB Cloete Interchange for Bridge Work

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10-09-2025
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Central News
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SANRAL announces night-time closures on N3 between St James Avenue and EB Cloete Interchange for bridge work, advising motorists of upcoming disruptions to allow the safe removal of the temporary pedestrian bridge alongside the new Rockdale Bridge under construction. The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has advised motorists of upcoming night-time closures on the N3 between St James Avenue Interchange and the EB Cloete Interchange, scheduled for both directions from 8pm on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, to 4am on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, to facilitate the removal of the temporary steel pedestrian bridge now that the new structure can safely accommodate pedestrians.

Purpose of the Closures and Project Background

The closures are intended to allow the safe removal of the temporary pedestrian bridge alongside the new Rockdale Bridge currently under construction. “Construction of the new Rockdale Road Bridge is at a point where pedestrians can now be safely accommodated on it. The temporary steel pedestrian bridge, installed to allow safe pedestrian crossing while the new bridge was being constructed will thus be removed,” SANRAL’s KZN Provincial Specialist Geometrics Engineer Jason Lowe said on Monday.
This initiative forms part of SANRAL’s continuous efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and improve traffic infrastructure along both the N2 and N3 corridors. The Rockdale Road Bridge upgrade is a component of the broader N3 corridor improvement project, aimed at modernising key transport links in KwaZulu-Natal to boost economic activity and road safety.

The temporary bridge was erected to maintain pedestrian access during construction, preventing disruptions for local communities. With the new bridge now operational for foot traffic, its removal is a milestone in the project, which has involved complex engineering to minimise impact on daily commuters.

Closure Schedule and Traffic Management

The scheduled closures are on both directions of the N3 from 8pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025 to 4am, Wednesday 10 September 2025. This night-time closures have been scheduled to minimise daytime disruption.

All motorists are advised to plan ahead, allow for additional travel time, and adhere to posted signage and reduced speed limits within construction zones. Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period and/or find suitable staging areas over this timeframe to avoid major congestion.

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

A detailed alternative route guide is included below and can be found on this link: https://www.nra.co.za/project-n2n3-upgrades?region_id=eastern.

Alternative routes during the closure include:

• For N3 Eastbound (towards Durban): Divert via M13 or use the M7 as a detour, rejoining the N3 beyond the EB Cloete Interchange.
• For N3 Westbound (towards Pinetown): Take the M13 westbound or utilise local roads like St James Avenue to Spine Road, avoiding the closed section.

Full traffic accommodation plans and detour signage will be in place. These measures ensure safety for both road users and construction teams, with SANRAL emphasising compliance to prevent accidents.

Impact on Commuters and Safety Measures

The closures will affect thousands of daily commuters on this busy stretch, which handles over 100,000 vehicles per day as a key link between Durban and inland provinces. Night-time scheduling reduces impact on peak traffic, but drivers should anticipate delays and plan accordingly.

SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager Dumisani Nkabinde urged caution: “We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate the public’s patience as we complete this essential work.” Emergency services will have access, and real-time updates are available via SANRAL’s app and social media.

This forms part of the R20 billion N2/N3 upgrades project, which includes bridge reconstructions, road widening, and safety enhancements to support economic growth in KZN. The Rockdale Bridge, spanning the N3, is being rebuilt to improve durability and pedestrian facilities, with completion targeted for 2026.