The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will start major construction and upgrades on the N3 between the Westville viaduct and the Paradise Valley interchange on October 1. The R4.7-billion project is expected to extend over about 51 months.

The project includes the provision of additional one and two lanes to create a varying four- to six-lane dual carriageway plus auxiliary lanes where required.

Further, upgrades will also be made to Eden road, the Paradise Valley interchange, including the M13 Provincial Route, and the Westville interchange, including Spine road.

There will also be major bridge construction works including widening of the Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts that are between 25 m to 30 m in height above both valleys.

The areas that will be affected are Pinetown, Westville, Hillcrest, Kloof, Marrianhill and Pavillion Mall. The construction will also impact all road users who travel to major destinations, including the Port of Durban and King Shaka International Airport.

Sanral will endeavour to keep at least three lanes per direction open on the N3 route at all times and at least one lane will be kept open on applicable ramps, said Sanral Eastern Region project manager Andrew Ssekayita.

During the construction period, the following alternative routes can be considered for use by motorists, including M1, M5, M7, M10/M13, M19 and St James avenue/Harry Gwala.

“Traffic accommodation will commence immediately and will continue for the duration of the project. There will be contraflow for the construction of the bridge overpasses and there will be short road closures at night during demolitions with alternative routes available,” he added.

Safety and security for all road users during the necessary road construction and upgrades is the ultimate priority of the agency and it will endeavour to keep the disruptions at a manageable level.

Sanral also embarked on an extensive communication plan to ensure that the public were fully aware of the N2/N3 upgrading and various considerations to reduce travel time over the next eight to ten years.

Work on the 5.74 km stretch of the N3 route will include provision of pedestrian and public transport facilities, and pedestrian walkways with concrete barriers and taxi layby.

Work will also include the relocation of services affected by the capacity improvement, and construction of mass earthworks for pavement widening, bridge upgrades on affected interchanges, drainage both cross and road surface.

Additionally, the agency will construct gravel pavement layers, including selected layers and stabilised sub-base, and construct and widen new overpasses and bridge structures, consisting of Westville Viaduct, Langford road overpass, Lancaster road overpass, Dudley road overpass, St James avenue bridge, Eden road bridge and Paradise Valley Viaduct.

It will also undertake electrical works, including the installation of street lighting along the entire section.

Meanwhile, Sanral also embarked on a three-month mobilisation period which includes community liaison and procurement planning for targeted enterprises. These engagements are expected to end on September 30.