N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass to undergo major rehabilitation and reconstruction
Road users are reminded that speed limits are lowered in construction zones as a safety measure
The N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass will undergo major rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Van Reenen’s Pass, linking the Free State to KwaZulu-Natal, winds through undulating terrain and at 1768m above sea level, is prone to extreme weather conditions.
This section of the N3 Toll Route often poses traffic management challenges, where congestion and delays can be experienced. So if you are planning to travel on the N3, then bear this in mind.
“Roads have a limited lifespan. Ongoing maintenance, regular rehabilitation and reconstruction of sections of the N3 route is required to ensure high mobility and safety standards,” says N3TC commercial manager Con Roux. “Therefore, we follow a tightly managed rehabilitation programme along this busy route.”
In terms of this programme, work on a rehabilitation project at Van Reenen’s Pass will commence mid-November 2018 and is expected to take approximately 22 months to complete.
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The rehabilitation work entails the reconstruction of all traffic lanes in both north- and southbound directions. During this period, the truck lanes will be reconstructed and the other lanes will be repaired and receive a new asphalt surface.
N3TC is acutely aware of the disruption that road construction may cause to the free flow of traffic, and appeals to road users to be patient and give consideration to their safety (and the safety of the construction workers) while this work is being performed. A comprehensive traffic management plan is in place to minimise disruption and limit inconvenience to road users.
At all times, at least one lane will be open to traffic and if required, traffic will be accommodated contra-flow in lanes where construction is not underway.
Careful consideration has been given to the time-frames of the roadworks programme to ensure that all lanes are open to traffic at peak traffic periods such as the December holiday season and the Easter long weekend.
Construction work on Van Reenen’s Pass will cease on December 14 and will commence again on January 8.
Road users are reminded that speed limits are lowered in construction zones as a safety measure.
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