Sanral to close key N2/N3 ramps for bridge demolition this weekend

Tags

---

24-07-2025
Read : 92 times
The Witness
Source

The closures are part of Sanral’s upgrade works at the EB Cloete Interchange and surrounding freeway network.

Motorists travelling in and around Durban have been urged to plan ahead as the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) will implement major temporary closures on parts of the N2 and N3 freeways this weekend.

The closures, which affect the EB Cloete Interchange, popularly known as Spaghetti Junction, will accommodate the safe demolition of the Thames Pedestrian Bridge and deep foundational work as part of ongoing upgrades to the busy road network.

Sanral said these closures are essential to ensure worker and public safety and form part of a long-term expansion project aimed at improving traffic flow and pedestrian infrastructure across the corridor.

Sanral remains committed to minimizing disruption wherever possible and ensuring all construction activities meet the highest safety standards.

“These temporary closures are necessary to facilitate work that supports the long-term expansion of the N2 and N3, including the removal of the Thames Pedestrian Bridge and preparation of deep foundation structures,” said Corné Roux, Sanral KwaZulu-Natal Project Manager.

Motorists are urged to take note of the details below and plan their routes in advance.

Closure times:

N3 Westbound; Durban to Pinetown:

Full Closure of the N3 as well as the N3 Westbound Ramp; from N2 Northbound (Amanzimtoti to Pinetown) Between EB Cloete Interchange and Spine Road / St James Avenue Off-Ramp.

From 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 9 am on Sunday, July 27, 2025

This closure is required for the safe demolition of the Thames Pedestrian Bridge structure that spans the N3 corridor. This route for the N3 westbound will be fully reopened once the area has been cleared of all debris and is safe for traffic.

N3 Eastbound; Pinetown to Durban, as well as the Loop Ramps from Westville to Durban, also Spine Road to Durban will be fully closed. Immediately after Spine Road / St James Avenue Off-Ramp from the N3.

From 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 6 pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025

The full 24-hour closure of this route is required to support bridge removal and associated protection works

The N2 Southbound (Umhlanga to N3 Westbound Pinetown) – Ramp Closure, Closure at Spaghetti Junction (Ramp to N3 Pinetown).

From 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 6 pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

This closure will also allow for deep excavation and foundational works beneath the freeway in preparation for infrastructure construction for the bridge upgrade programme.

Sanral added that this initiative forms part of Sanral’s continuous efforts to enhance pedestrian safety and improve traffic infrastructure along the N3 corridor.

Sanral said they have full traffic accommodation plans in place.

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. Light vehicle traffic, as well as emergency services and traffic management, are advised to make use of alternative routes,” said Sanral.

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

Motorists can use these alternate routes:

N3 Westbound Closures (Durban to Pinetown) from 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025 to 9 am on Sunday, July 27, 2025:

• N3 Westbound fully closed at EB Cloete Interchange (aka “Spaghetti Junction”)
• N2 Northbound off-ramp will remain open (coming from Durban to Umhlanga)
• N2 Southbound off-ramp will remain open (coming from Durban to Amanzimtoti)

N2 Northbound Closures (Amanzimtoti to Pinetown) from 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 9 am on Sunday, July 27, 2025:

• N3 Westbound off-ramp closed (coming from Amanzimtoti to Pinetown)
• N3 Eastbound off-ramp will remain open (coming from Amanzimtoti to Durban)
• The N2 North and South mainlines will remain open

N3 Eastbound Closures (Pinetown to Durban) from 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 6 pm, Sunday, July 27, 2025:

• N3 Eastbound to Durban fully closed at the St James/Spine Road Interchange
• The N3 off-ramp to Westville will remain open at the St James/Spine Road Interchange
• N2 Southbound Closure (Umhlanga to Pinetown)

N2 Southbound Closure (Umhlanga to Pinetown) from 6 pm on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to 6 pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025:

• N2 Southbound off-ramp to the N3 Pinetown closed
• The N2 North and South mainlines will remain open
• N2 Southbound off-ramp to the N3 to Durban will remain open
• Motorists travelling south from the North Coast to Pinetown before 9 am on Sunday July 27, 2025, can use the off-ramp to the N3 to Durban (at the Spaghetti Junction) and take the off-ramp to Sherwood, head south on the M13, and then take the N3 on-ramp at Sherwood to Pinetown. Alternatively, motorists can take the M19 from Umgeni Interchange to Pinetown.

“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,” said Roux.