Urgent N3 Closure Warning: Major Highway Section Shuts Tonight
Motorists travelling between Durban and Pietermaritzburg face major disruption this weekend as a section of the N3 closes for planned bridge demolition.
Both directions between Cato Ridge Interchange and Hammarsdale Interchange are scheduled to close at 18:00 SAST on Saturday, 14 November, and reopen at 05:00 on Monday, 16 November 2026.
The closure affects an important route for commuters, weekend travellers and freight operators. Drivers should plan for diversions and additional travelling time. Source: SABC News
Why is the N3 closing?
SANRAL says the closure is required to demolish the Harrison East Bridge, also known as the D157 overpass.
The existing bridge must make way for widening work on the N3. Its replacement will have a wider opening to accommodate the expanded freeway beneath it.
Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office Road Safety Specialist Engineer, explained that the demolition forms part of the construction programme. The full closure is intended to protect motorists and construction teams during the operation. Source: SANRAL traffic advisory
What are the closure times?
The published schedule applies to both carriageways:
- Closure begins: Saturday, 14 November 2026, at 18:00.
- Scheduled reopening: Monday, 16 November 2026, at 05:00.
- Affected section: Between Cato Ridge and Hammarsdale interchanges.
Those start and end times span 35 hours, covering Saturday night, Sunday and the early hours of Monday.
Monday morning travellers should check for updates before leaving, particularly if their journeys depend on the scheduled reopening. Source: SABC News
Which diversion should motorists use?
For southbound traffic travelling from Pietermaritzburg towards Durban, vehicles will leave the N3 at Cato Ridge Interchange.
Drivers will then follow the R103, also known as Old Main Road, and the MR385 before rejoining the highway at Hammarsdale Interchange.
Northbound motorists travelling from Durban towards Pietermaritzburg will follow the reverse diversion. They will exit at Hammarsdale, continue along the MR385 and R103, and rejoin the N3 at Cato Ridge.
Motorists should follow temporary signs and authorised traffic officials along the designated routes. Navigation applications can help with planning, but drivers should remain attentive to the directions provided at the roadworks.
The diversion concerns this particular highway section. Travellers should identify where it falls within their journey before setting off. Source: Daily News
What happens to the local bridge crossing?
The Harrison East Bridge crossing has a longer construction timeline than the weekend highway closure.
SANRAL estimates that replacing the bridge will take approximately 24 months, with reopening anticipated in November 2028. Local vehicle traffic will use the designated alternative via the D12 overpass.
This distinction matters for nearby residents and businesses: the N3 carriageways have a scheduled Monday reopening, while the local D157 crossing remains affected during replacement construction.
People who regularly use that crossing should familiarise themselves with the local alternative. Source: SANRAL advisory
Advice for trucks and public transport
SANRAL has asked truck and heavy-vehicle operators to consider delaying journeys, arranging suitable staging areas or using appropriate alternative routes to limit congestion.
Public transport operators should ensure drivers know about the closure and the diversion routes, especially where commuter services may be affected.
Passengers with appointments or connections should check arrangements with their transport provider and allow flexibility in their travel plans. Source: Daily News
Plan before leaving
For private motorists, preparation should start with checking departure times, destinations and the position of the affected interchanges.
Allow a larger travel buffer, check fuel levels and keep essential medication, drinking water and a charged phone accessible. If someone is collecting you or expecting your arrival, let them know that your journey includes a diversion.
Travellers leaving before 18:00 should still consider when they are likely to reach the affected interchanges. An early departure from home does not necessarily mean passing the closure area before restrictions begin.
For return journeys on Sunday, build the diversion into your plans from the outset. Families, tour groups and businesses coordinating several vehicles should share the same route information so drivers do not arrive at different closure points expecting normal access.
If your journey is flexible, consider whether changing its timing would reduce pressure on the diversion and avoid an unnecessary wait.
Avoid making sudden turns or stopping in unsafe places when approaching closure points. Follow the signed route and the instructions of traffic personnel.
Consult SANRAL’s published notice and current traffic updates before travelling. The announced reopening is a schedule, so check for any subsequent changes rather than assuming the route has reopened automatically.