Lilian Ngoyi Street to officially reopen next week. Image: SABC.
(The Post News)- The City of Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, has announced that Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street, in the Johannesburg CBD will reopen next week Friday, 12 September.
Lilian Ngoyi Street has been closed for nearly two years following a methane gas explosion that caused it to collapse. The mayor had initially pledged that repair work would be completed by August, but delays caused by the original contractor’s failure to meet deadlines pushed the timeline back. As a result, the contract was terminated, leading to additional costs for the city.
Morero stated that the road project is complete and everyone will have full access, as contractors are left with a few problems. He said that the contractors are just finishing up the sidewalks, and once that is over, motorists and pedestrians will have access to the street.
Lilian Ngoyi Repair Costed Over R100 Million
Morero stated that phase one of the project cost the city R82 million. “An amount of R110 million has been allocated for Work Package 1 of Phase 2, which will commence immediately. We anticipate completing Work Package 2 of Phase 2 by August 2026,” he added.
Zweli Nyathi, CEO of the Johannesburg Roads Agency, said the explosion presented a rare chance to inspect the underground infrastructure of the city—something they had never been able to do before.
“This project allowed us to reassess what lies beneath the city and better understand the infrastructure below the surface, so we can take a more proactive approach in the future. It’s been a valuable learning experience for us. I clearly remember when we first began repairs on Lilian Ngoyi Street, there were many critics citing it would never be restored. But despite the challenges, including heavy rains, we’re now standing on a fully rebuilt road,” Nyathi said.
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