R617 closed as snow hits KZN, truck stuck near Kokstad

The R617 has been closed towards Kokstad as snowfall affects parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with one truck already stuck on the route near Kingscote. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) had activated its Snowfall Response Plan to prevent motorists and so-called snow chasers from becoming trapped in affected areas. Duma said roads in Kokstad, Kingscote and Underberg had been closed, while traffic on the R617 was being redirected to the R56.

The RTI has also reported snowfall in Kokstad, Underberg, Matatiele and Clifton near Nottingham Road. Meanwhile, snowfall and wintry conditions are also affecting parts of the N3 Toll Route. A dusting of snow has been reported around Swinburne, with rain and sleet affecting areas between Mooi River and Warden.

The conditions are expected to create hazardous driving conditions during the day. N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) chief operating officer Thania Dhoogra said Route Operations teams had begun applying brine across all lanes from the bottom of Van Reenen Pass towards Harrismith as a precaution against black ice. The brine application will be extended to other sections of the route should weather conditions require it. Busy northbound traffic towards Gauteng is expected on Monday as the Women’s Day long weekend draws to a close.