Lilian Ngoyi Street reopens to traffic. Image: The Citizen.
(The Post News)– The City of Johannesburg finally reopened Lilian Ngoyi Street in the CBD on Friday morning, more than a week after missing its deadline.
The city had initially promised that the busy thoroughfare would reopen on 1 September but on that date only announced that repairs were completed. Lilian Ngoyi street had been closed for two years following an underground gas explosion that split the road in half, killing one person and injuring several others.
Constructors to Do Finishing Touch Ups on Lilian Ngoyi Street
When the road was opened to traffic on Friday, construction equipment was still visible on site, road markings had not yet been painted, and sections remained cordoned off by green construction nets. Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that traffic was allowed to flow from the morning, with officers deployed to ensure order.
He underlined that JMPD’s major duty will be to make sure that the changeover to the new traffic flow goes smoothly and to enforce the bylaws in order to keep everyone on the road safe and in order. “We urge all road users to exercise patience and caution. Motorists should adhere to the new traffic signals and road markings. Pedestrians and cyclists must utilize the newly designed sidewalks and designated crossing points,” said Fihla.
Reports indicated that the road has been resurfaced with paving bricks, marking a departure from the traditional tar surface previously used. City officials have hailed the reopening as a step towards restoring normalcy in the CBD, but some residents and business owners have expressed frustration at the long delays and the unfinished state of the street at the time of reopening.
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