The N3 at Van Reenen Pass has been reopened following the successful recovery of a heavy transformer that was dropped during a truck accident on Wednesday morning.
“The recovery of the dropped transformer and emergency road repairs were successfully completed shortly after 23:30 last night. All lanes on Van Reenen Pass are open to traffic,” said N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) spokesperson Thania Dhoogra.
The recovery comes after an incident on the Johannesburg-bound lane where a truck carrying a heavy transformer lost its load, resulting in significant obstruction and traffic delays.
The recovery operation required careful coordination to remove the transformer and make the necessary road repairs. Recovery efforts concluded at 23:30, and the road was reopened shortly after.
Despite this, traffic remained slow-moving for several hours as vehicles cleared the backlog.
Concerns have been raised about the potential for further incidents in the area. Reports indicate that some overfilled trucks stacked at the recovery scene spilt diesel on the road surface, heightening the risk of crashes.
Motorists travelling through Van Reenen Pass are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
The N3 Toll Concession extended its gratitude to motorists for their patience during the prolonged closure.
“The recovery at Van Reenen Pass was particularly challenging due to the complexity of the load involved and the strategic importance of this route,” said Dhoogra.
Van Reenen Pass is a vital connection between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, making its smooth operation critical for traffic flow and logistics.
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