Five things to remember before hitting the N3 this long weekend
Heritage Day falls on a Monday this year (24th of September), giving South Africans a well-deserved long weekend. Many people will be taking a break from their busy schedules by heading to the KwaZulu-Natal coast for some rest and relaxation on the beach.
Before loading the car and hitting the road, take a look
at the tips and advisories issued by the N3 Toll Concession below. The
N3TC is the authority that manages the busy freeway between Heidelberg
in Gauteng and Cedara in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
UPDATE: The southbound lanes on the N3 at Van Reenens Pass have been re-opened to traffic following this morning's heavy motor vehicle crash. A tanker transporting paraffin overturned earlier, causing another truck on the northbound carriageway to jack-knife.
NOW READ: Truck overturns, spills paraffin on N3
The N3TC says the southbound lanes (heading from Johannesburg to Durban) have been reopened. Just one lane heading out of KwaZulu-Natal is currently in operation.Traffic authorities say 2,050 vehicles per hour were already travelling towards the coast at the Mooi River Toll Plaza at about midday on Friday. Peak traffic volumes are expected again on Monday afternoon into the evening, with most vehicles heading towards Gauteng.
13h08 #TrafficCount: 12h00 to 13h00 #MooiPlaza: S- 2050, N-890#TugelaPlaza: S- 790, N- 510#WilgePlaza: S- 980, N- 290#DeHoekPlaza: 1000, N- 360
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) September 21, 2018
No fuel stops are available between Van Reenens and Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal. In the Free State, the filling station at Balmoral (before Harrismith when heading towards the coast) is also closed for renovations.
Fuel stops currently operational along the N3 Toll Route are located near:
· Heidelberg
· Villiers
· Harrismith
· Van Reenen’s Pass
· Estcourt (Midway)
· Nottingham Road
Only essential maintenance will be carried out if needs be. This has been arranged to allow for the free flow of traffic.
There is a 30 percent chance of some rainfall in parts of KwaZulu-Natal tomorrow.
5. Report any problems on the route to the N3 Toll Concession:
The N3 Toll Concession says its Road Incident Management System is managed around the clock. Additional emergency and law enforcement resources are deployed during busy holiday periods. Any incidents can be reported by calling 0800 63 4357 or Tweeting @N3Route.