R1 billion to be invested to expand N3 route

The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) plans to invest around R1 billion over the next three years to expand the N3 toll route.

"We are committed to ensuring additional road capacity is added before traffic volumes increase to a level which may negatively impact on the safety, convenience, and mobility of N3 toll route users," N3TC technical manager Douglas Judd said in a statement on Friday.

"N3TC is implementing this expansion well in advance of its actual capacity requirement in order to minimise the impact on heavier traffic in later years."

He said a comprehensive traffic management programme would be put in place to minimise disruptions to road users.

Construction on the N3 between Harrismith and Warden would begin this month.

Judd said a 60km stretch of the existing road surface in both directions would be reconstructed and receive a new asphalt overlay. It was expected to be completed by April 2017.

"There will, at all times, be at least one lane open to traffic to regulate the flow of traffic while construction is underway. Therefore, no undue delays are anticipated," said Judd.

In August, a 14km stretch of the toll road between Cedara and Tweedie will be expanded. Two additional lanes, one in each direction, will be constructed.

The Umgeni River bridge will also be expanded in this project, which is expected to be completed in 24 months.

Other work on the N3 route between Mooi River and Estcourt began in 2013 and will be completed at the end of 2015. On this section, the truck lane is being rehabilitated.