Temporary N3 Closure Between Pinetown and ST James Ave for Urgent Bridge Works

Motorists using the N3 tonight should be prepared for delays, as SANRAL has announced a full overnight closure of the westbound carriageway between the Pinetown off ramp and St James Avenue interchange.

The shutdown is required to facilitate the placement of U-beams at Langford Bridge, part of the major upgrade project underway between the Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange.

“This closure is to facilitate the placing of beams on Langford Bridge as part of the construction processes for the N3 upgrade,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu-Natal Geometrics Specialist Engineer.

Closure Schedule

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The N3 westbound carriageway will be fully closed from 20:00 tonight, 10 December 2025, until 05:00 tomorrow morning, 11 December 2025.

SANRAL says comprehensive traffic management and safety plans have been implemented to safeguard both workers and motorists while the heavy lifting operation takes place.

Detour and Traffic Impact

Traffic travelling out of Durban towards Pinetown will be diverted off the N3 at the St James Interchange (Exit 13) onto the M32, before being routed to the M13 and then back onto the N3 via the M7 interchange. As an alternative, motorists may continue along the M13 towards Key Ridge to rejoin the N3.

Truckers and other heavy-vehicle operators are urged to delay trips, make use of staging areas or reroute via the M13, M1 or M7 to avoid lengthy congestion. Public transport operators are also advised to alert their drivers to planned closures affecting commuter schedules.

Motorists Asked to Plan Ahead

“All road users are advised to plan their routes ahead of time and where possible leave earlier than usual,” SANRAL said.

The agency further appealed for adherence to temporary speed limits and signage within construction zones.

“SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with advance warning signs and speed restrictions. To prioritise the safety of both the construction workers and road users, the speed limit will be reduced during construction,” Lowe added.

The beam installation forms part of the multi-year upgrade of the N3 corridor, aimed at improving capacity and safety on one of the country’s busiest freight and commuter routes.