The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the full closure of Alan Paton Avenue Southbound Carriageway between Blackburrow Road and the N3 in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal.

The closure is due to the construction of the Epworth underpass.

The Alan Paton Avenue Southbound Carriageway (onramp from Alan Paton Avenue to the N3 towards Durban) will be fully closed to traffic to facilitate roadworks as part of the N3 upgrade project between Gladys Manzi (Murray) Road and the New England Road Interchange.

The closure will take place from 27 October 2024 to 27 November 2025, a period of approximately 11 months.

The Alan Paton Avenue Northbound carriageway (offramp from the N3 to Alan Paton Avenue/ Scottsville/Pietermaritzburg CBD) will remain open to traffic during this period.

‘Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will monitor the closure,’ SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager Jason Lowe said on Thursday.

Alternative
s for access to the N3 Southbound carriageway (towards Durban) are via the New England Road and Market Road interchanges.

A temporary access ramp will be provided for local traffic to access the N3 Southbound carriageway.

It is also expected that the new link between Cleland Road and the Market Interchange will be in place within six months from the Alan Paton Road ramp closure.

‘Increased traffic volumes can be expected at the New England Road and Market Road interchanges, as well as the roads leading to them. These will lead to increased travel times, especially during the morning and afternoon peak hours.

‘Motorists are urged to plan and adjust their routes ahead of time to minimise delays and remain patient during the closure. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience during the ongoing major road enhancements,’ said Lowe.

The planned closure will allow:

The demolition of the existing N3 Epworth Underpass.

The construction of the new N3 Epworth Underpa
ss in a new location.

The construction of the new Blackburrow Spruit Culvert.

The construction of adjacent N3 and Alan Paton Avenue roadworks.

Source: South African Government News Agency