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N3 Toll Route reopens after severe snowfall as traffic backlog cleared between KZN, Free State

N3 Toll Route reopens after severe snowfall as traffic backlog cleared between KZN, Free State
Takudzwa Pongweni
By Takudzwa Pongweni
23 Sep 2024
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The N3 Toll Route has fully reopened following significant traffic disruptions caused by heavy snowfall over the weekend. But authorities urge starting journeys only on Monday, and stress the importance of daytime travel and staying updated on weather conditions.

The N3 Toll Route has been fully reopened following severe snowfalls that caused significant traffic disruptions over the weekend.

On Sunday evening, the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) said the extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State has been cleared, and traffic authorities have given the green light for travel to resume in the affected area.

“Following this weekend’s severe snowfalls, which caused major traffic disruptions and had road users stranded for almost two days between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith, N3TC is pleased to inform road users that mobility is fully restored on the N3 toll route,” N3TC said.

“The extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and Free State has been cleared.”

However, the N3TC warned that it was highly recommended that trips only start from Monday.

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

Snowfall highlights need for rail infrastructure: MEC


On the back of disruptive snowfall in KwaZulu-Natal, transport and human settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the provincial government will “steam ahead with the development and modernisation of other modes of transport”.

Duma said the province intends to invest in rail transport, both freight and passenger.

“As the department, we offer to be decisive in ensuring greater mobility and access for all the people of our province to different modes of transport. ​​Critically, there is an urgent need to improve rail services in the province so that it could serve as the backbone for the movement of goods, while we recognise the importance of freight, especially trucking companies,” he said.

Read more: ‘It is a nightmare’ – Motorists tell of hellish 14 hours stuck in bitter cold, but progress made clearing roads

Read more: Authorities start clearing more than 1,800 vehicles trapped by heavy snowfalls on N3

Duma’s department said roads had reopened and travellers could resume their trips from Monday.

“Our efficient and hard-working team of officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate will continue to escort trucks and cars in the area. In addition, our team from the Infrastructure Unit will continue to clear the snow using motor graders,” he added.

Public urged to heed weather warnings 


Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh has called on the public to heed warnings of severe weather after hundreds of motorists were trapped by snowfall at the weekend.

“It is of paramount importance for the public to normalise checking the weather forecast as they go about planning any outdoor activities including travel and mass events. Such information is disseminated several times each day on traditional and new media platforms to avoid the very dire situation we sadly find ourselves in,” he said.

Singh added that on Wednesday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued an alert informing the public about expected disruptive snow, which may affect major traffic routes.

“The SAWS said at the time the snowfall was likely to result in the closure of mountain passes, loss of livestock and crops, and affect major traffic routes including parts of the N3, N5 and N11. The entity added that cold to very cold daytime temperatures of between 8°C [and] 12°C could also be expected over Gauteng and the eastern parts of North West on Saturday, 21 September. The media release was followed by several severe weather warnings.

“The global Early Warning for All (EW4All) agenda, in terms of which countries of the world are called upon to put measures in place to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water or climate events through lifesaving early warning systems by the end of 2027, will only bear fruit if the public heeds the warnings of authorities such as the SAWS.” DM

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