Multi-disciplinary rescue and recovery teams are working at full force to help clear the area between Van Reenen Pass and Swinburne (Montrose) of stranded trucks and light motor vehicles. Their efforts, however, are being hampered by road users attempting to circumvent road closure points and/or safety instructions.

“We know it has been a long, bitterly cold and tiring weekend, and we understand that you just want to be mobile again, but please work with the disaster management teams, not against them. When clear instructions are ignored or opposed, it puts an additional strain on resources and brings rescue efforts to a halt, negatively impacting on everyone,” explains Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3 Toll Concession (N3TC). “Your cooperation, patience, and compliance are essential to bring this mammoth operation to conclusion and to safely restore mobility on the N3 Toll Route.” She explained, “Until this can be achieved, and the many stranded vehicles, as well as the extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State can cleared, cleanup and securing of the road cannot be completed and hence normal traffic flow cannot be restored.”

ALL LANES in the vicinity of Van Reenen town towards the Swinburne/Montrose junction) remain obstructed by a large number of gridlocked heavy- and light motor vehicles (some of which have been abandoned by their drivers or broken down). ONLY LIGHT MOTOR VEHICLES are currently being released southbound towards Tugela Plaza under escort of traffic officials. All trucks continue to be stacked in the area. Road users are advised to AVOID ALL ATTEMPTS TO TRAVEL between Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State. Where possible, make use of alternative routes that are safe and accessible for long-distance travel.

ENDS.
Issued by: N3 Toll Concession (N3TC)