The City of Johannesburg has officially completed Phase 1 of repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street) in the CBD – nearly two years after an underground gas explosion tore it apart.

The rebuilt road now features paving bricks instead of traditional tar but will operate instantly.

The street will start operating on September 12.

Nearly two years after it was severely damaged by a devastating underground gas explosion, Lilian Ngoyi Street—will remain closed to traffic this Monday, despite the completion of the first phase of repair work.

Authorities had previously assured the public that the iconic street would reopen and return to normal operations.

However, access remains restricted, delaying the long-anticipated return of business activity to the once-vibrant area.

The explosion, which occurred in July 2023, claimed one life and left several others injured, causing significant damage to infrastructure along the route.

Speaking from Lilian Ngoyi Street on Monday, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero announced the completion of phase one but said it will not operate as yet.

“As I said, the reason we moved to that is to nice and feel the world, to change it, to make it nicer, to make it accessible to pedestrians, to motorists and everybody, so that it’s not only acceptable or friendly to motorists.

“That is why we said it’s better we do it this way. I think our engineers, technicians and everybody are convinced that we probably won’t have an explosion,” he said.

Morero added that engineers have ensured water pipes and infrastructure underneath, “they have also restored the tunnels that are there underneath, so everything we think underneath is proper now.”

Before the underground gas explosion damaged parts of Lilian Ngoyi Street, the road was surfaced with tar.

Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO, Zweli Nyathi, explained why the city opted for the pavement approach.

“The city is moving towards a smart direction… Secondly, as part of the transportation masterplan, that is why you find yourself standing on the pavement,” he said.

After 26 months of repair work—twice the originally projected timeline—the city has announced that the street is now ready to reopen.

For residents of the high-rise buildings along the route, the prolonged view of torn-up pavement and constant construction activity became a daily reality.

The extended delay was attributed to a contractual dispute with a former contractor, whose agreement was terminated last year.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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