SANRAL Postpones N3 Closure for Ashburton Bridge Blast to Accommodate Soweto Derby Fans
Durban, 7 May 2025 — The highly anticipated Soweto Derby Nedbank Cup Final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates has prompted the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to postpone the planned closure and blasting of the Ashburton Bridge on the N3 highway.
This development was confirmed by Ayanda Msweli during a live interview on Ukhozi FM’s popular afternoon drive show Woza Nabangani Bakho (WNB), hosted by Selbyonce and Tshatha Ngobe on Wednesday, 07 May 2025.
“After speaking with Andile Ncube on Metro FM, we followed up to find out who we could contact for clarity on the N3 closure issue, and to see if it might be possible to reopen it or postpone the blasting,” Msweli explained. “The first person I contacted was the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, and I asked for his assistance. He said he would speak to SANRAL.”
According to Msweli, SANRAL had originally scheduled the Ashburton Bridge demolition for Good Friday earlier this year, but opted to postpone due to expected Easter weekend traffic. However, when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced that the 2025 Nedbank Cup Final would be hosted at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, SANRAL had not yet been consulted, leading to a scheduling conflict.
“SANRAL had gone ahead with planning for the blasting operations without knowledge of the final’s location,” said Msweli. “When we realized the overlap, we engaged with all relevant stakeholders to find a workable solution.”
Following meetings between the KZN Department of Transport, SANRAL, and PSL representatives, it was officially agreed that the blasting and full closure of the N3 between Lynnfield Park and Market Road interchanges would be postponed to a date yet to be confirmed. This decision aims to ease travel for thousands of football fans expected to make the journey to Durban for the Soweto Derby final.
The N3 serves as a major artery for both local and long-distance traffic between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. A full closure would have significantly disrupted travel to the match and impacted fan attendance.
The postponement has been widely welcomed by the football community and provincial leadership as a practical move to support South African sports and ensure safe and efficient travel for supporters.
Fans planning to attend the final on Saturday, 10 May 2025, are now encouraged to proceed with their travel plans as normal. SANRAL is expected to announce a new date for the Ashburton Bridge blast in due course.
For official updates, listeners and travelers are advised to stay tuned to Ukhozi FM, Metro FM, and SANRAL’s communication platforms.