UPDATE: N3 in KZN reopens following heavy snowfall

The N3 Toll Concession has announced that the toll route has reopened to traffic after being closed due to heavy snowfall over the weekend.

Motorists travelling between Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal were trapped since Friday, 20 September, as inclement weather conditions caused hazardous driving conditions. In turn, this caused a huge traffic backlog between KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.

N3 IN KZN REOPEN TO TRAFFIC

Traffic authorities assessed the area between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith and gave the green light for travel to resume, but with an important warning that motorists should start travelling from Monday, 23 September.

“Daytime travel is always the safer choice. We remind road users to plan ahead and be prepared for any eventuality before you embark on your journey. Pay attention to road and weather conditions, and stay informed. Conditions on the road can change rapidly, as we have seen over the last few days,” said the chief operating officer of N3TC, Thania Dhoogra.

The N3 Toll Concession said as of Monday morning, there are no incidents disrupting the flow of traffic along the N3 toll route from Cedara in Pietermaritzburg to Heidelberg in Gauteng.

REST OF THE ROUTES OPEN

On Sunday afternoon, the South African Government provided an update about other routes:

• The N5 from Bethlehem to Harrismith is open, however, there are dangerous driving conditions 30km from Harrismith due to melting snow.
• The R57 from Kestell to R714 junction is also open, however, the are dangerous driving conditions.
• The R714 from Bethlehem to Warden is open and hazardous driving conditions also persist.
• Additionally, in the N11 route, the road is open between Ladysmith and Volkrust, however, there is mist along the Majuba Pass making it difficult to drive.