Temporary road closures on the N3 to facilitate construction of the new Blackburrow Road overpass bridge.

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11-08-2026
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ietermaritzburg, 7 August 2026 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises motorists of temporary closures of the N3 for the placement of staging for the new Blackburrow Road overpass bridge construction.

“Construction on the upgraded Market Road interchange, including the new link from Market Road to Cleland Road is nearing completion. The next phase of construction includes replacement of the existing Blackburrow Road bridge over the N3. This is required as the existing bridge opening is not wide enough to accept the additional N3 lanes below,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu-Natal Geometric Specialist Engineer.

The temporary closures will take place as follows:

N3 Northbound Carriageway Closure:

• This carriageway will be fully closed from 20:00, Saturday 15 August 2026 to 05:00, Sunday 16 August 2026 between the Market Road and New England Road Interchanges

N3 Southbound Carriageway Closure:

• This carriageway will be fully closed from 20:00, Sunday 16 August 2026 to 05:00, Monday 17 August 2026 between the New England Road and Market Road Interchanges

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

Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to try and delay trips over this period, find suitable staging areas or reroute using the alternative route options 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:

N3 Northbound Closure (Pietermaritzburg to Mooi River):

• N3 Northbound fully closed after the Market Road off-ramp
• N3 Northbound on-ramp from Market Road fully closed

Alternative route:

• Take the Market Road offramp, continue along Alan Paton Ave, turn right at Ridge Road, then right onto New England Road (R56). Rejoin the N3 Northbound at the New England Road Interchange on-ramp.

N3 Southbound Closure (Pietermaritzburg to Durban):

• N3 Southbound fully closed after the New England Road off-ramp
• N3 Southbound on-ramp from New England Road fully closed

Alternative route:

• Take the New England Road offramp turn right onto New England Road (R56), left at Ridge Road, left at Alan Paton Ave, then left onto Blackburrow Road, continue over the N3 and turn right at Cleland Road. Rejoin the N3 Southbound via the temporary Cleland Road onramp at Hayfields Mall.

“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 is reduced during construction,” added Lowe.