Which roads in KZN are currently under construction?
The projects form part of Sanral's more than R40 billion flagship expansion and upgrade programme for the N2 and N3 corridors.
From Durban to Pietermaritzburg and beyond, roadworks continue to reshape some of KwaZulu-Natal’s busiest highways.
Although a number of the South African National Road Agency Limited’s (Sanral) major N2 and N3 upgrade projects have already been completed, motorists can still expect construction on several key routes over the coming months and years.
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The projects form part of Sanral’s more than R40 billion flagship expansion and upgrade programme for the N2 and N3 corridors, aimed at improving road safety, increasing freight capacity and easing congestion on two of South Africa’s busiest economic routes.
Sanral media relations manager Lwando Mahlasela said the upgrades are designed to improve traffic flow while supporting long-term economic growth in the province.
Major road projects currently under construction
According to Sanral, work is currently underway on:
- N2 Kokstad Interchange and Traffic Control Centre
- R22 Interchange and Hluhluwe
- N11 upgrade between Ladysmith and Elandslaagte
- N11 upgrade between Elandslaagte and the Nkunzi River
- Eight separate N2 and N3 construction packages
- Gravel road upgrades at the Isandlwana Battlefield in Nqutu
- Gravel road upgrades in Lidgetton
N3 upgrades between Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Several major sections of the N3 are either complete or currently under construction.
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Three construction packages between Cato Ridge and Ashburton were completed in October 2025, upgrading the highway from four lanes to between eight and 10 lanes.
“The original four-lane cross section has been upgraded to between an 8 to 10 lane cross section,” said Mahlasela.
It has wider lanes and shoulders, improved sight distance and freeway lighting that substantially improves road safety at night.
Current construction includes:
- Ashburton Interchange to Murray Road
- Paradise Valley to Mariannhill Toll Plaza
- Mariannhill Toll Plaza upgrade
- Uitkoms to Cato Ridge
Future phases include:
- Murray Road to New England Road
- New England Road to Twickenham
- Pietermaritzburg Ring Road, which will realign approximately 13 km of the N3 around Town Hill.
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N2 upgrade programme
Sanral’s N2 expansion has been divided into 11 construction phases stretching from Lovu to Umdloti.
Projects include:
- Additional traffic lanes between Lovu and Moss Kolnick
- Upgrades to the Adams Road, Isipingo, Higginson and Edwin Swales interchanges
- Widening between Isipingo and Higginson
- Expansion between Edwin Swales and EB Cloete
- Upgrading the Umgeni and KwaMashu interchanges
- Major improvements between EB Cloete and Umgeni, including the construction of a new steel arch bridge
- Additional lanes between KwaMashu and Umdloti
Looking ahead, Sanral’s next major priorities include:
- N2 Umgeni to KwaMashu
- N2 EB Cloete to Edwin Swales
- N3 Paradise Valley to Mariannhill Toll Plaza
- Mariannhill Toll Plaza upgrade
- N3 Uitkoms to Cato Ridge
What improvements will motorists see?
The programme includes widening sections of both the N2 and N3 to between four and five lanes in each direction, upgrading major interchanges, widening bridges and constructing new structures designed to improve traffic flow and safety.
Once completed, the upgrades are expected to reduce congestion, improve freight movement through KZN and create a safer road network for motorists travelling on two of the country’s busiest highways.
