TOWN HILL ROAD CLOSURE TO DISRUPT TRAFFIC

The roadworks on the N3 at Town Hill are likely to disrupt traffic between Howick and Pietermaritzburg until December 14.

Two lanes will be closed on the southbound carriageway from Sanctuary Road to Link Road to allow contractors to install the asphalt base and then surface the slow lane on the N3 southbound (Durban bound).

The middle lane of the southbound carriageway will be closed for use by construction vehicles during this period.

South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) eastern region project manager, Jason Lowe, said: “The concrete barriers will be moved across to the edge of the fast lane, and all vehicular traffic will be restricted down to one lane only, which means the fast lane, commencing from just past the arrestor bed to a position of 400m past the Peter Brown Bridge.

“The asphalting operations will start from the southern or lower side and work up towards the arrestor bed.”

A temporary variable message system (VMS) was installed before the Cedara offramp to warn motorists of the closure and to give them an option to use R103 as an alternative.

“Only light motor vehicles are advised to consider the use of the Cedara offramp (R103) to Pietermaritzburg as an alternative route,” said Lowe.

CCTV cameras will monitor the traffic flow and synchronised, manually controlled traffic signals will help to control the movement of both light and heavy vehicles into a single lane.

Due to this reduction to one lane, it is expected that motorists can expect delays of approximately 1½ hours during the morning peak period.

“SANRAL would like to apologise for the temporary inconvenience and disruption these operations will cause to the travelling public,” Lowe said.

“However, these are unavoidable maintenance works required to maintain the structural integrity of the N3.

“The construction team appreciates your patience. It is important to note that upon completion, the works will be of long-term benefit to all road users.”