Construction works have begun on the upgradation of N3, Section 2, from Cato Ridge to Dardanelles in South Africa.
Under this 48-month contract, the existing four-lane dual carriageway will be increased to an eight-lane dual carriageway for 6.4 km and significantly increase the capacity of the road.
A road-over rail bridge will be extended to accommodate the widening of the road, together with numerous box culverts and pipe culverts. Furthermore, the upgrade will include the installation of lighting along the 6.4 km.
The R103 provincial road, which runs next to N3, will also be upgraded between the outer limits of the contract. A new section of R103 will be constructed alongside N3 on the southern side between Camperdown Interchange and the existing R103.
The project will entail an investment of USD 99.1 million. It was necessitated by high crash statistics as well as poor conditions of the pavement. The upgrade will increase safety but also significantly improve the level of service (LOS) for the next 30 years.
In line with SANRAL’s transformation objectives, at least USD 27.3 million will be subcontracted to SMMEs while just over USD 6.8 million will be spent on local labour.
The initial stages of construction will consist of major maintenance works along N3 as well as the adjacent provincial roads to accommodate traffic during construction.
The patching and resurfacing of the existing R103 will commence from 19 April 2021, until the end of July 2021, while the patching of N3 will be completed towards the end of July 2021.
The main upgrading activities on N3 are expected to commence in June 2021, starting with widening of the Durban-bound carriageway.