The first phase of the rehabilitated Lillian Ngoyi Street was officially handed over by the Johannesburg Mayor yesterday, nearly two years after a fatal gas explosion forced its closure.
The street, formerly known as Bree Street, was the site of a devastating methane explosion in 2023 that resulted in one fatality and injured more than 40 people. The incident caused significant damage to the infrastructure, including exposing underground tunnels, and necessitated a complete reconstruction of the thoroughfare.
The handover of phase one marks a major milestone for the project, which has been plagued by delays. A city spokesperson confirmed that the initial contractor hired for the job was unable to complete the work, leading the city to terminate the contract. This process involved a legal battle that was eventually resolved through an out-of-court settlement, after which a new contractor was appointed through an open tender process.
The new contractor met a revised deadline of September 1st to complete the first phase. The work involved closing the exposed tunnels and replacing the damaged tar road with paving blocks. The completed phase spans approximately 500 meters.
However, the road will not be open to the public until September 12th. The city also addressed questions about the new design, noting the road is now narrower than before. The spokesperson explained the redesign is intentional, part of a plan to create “complete streets” that are more user-friendly for vehicles, pedestrians, and informal traders alike, with wider walkways to prevent conflict.
The project has seen a significant investment of funds, though the exact total spent across the two contractors was not disclosed during the handover event. The ceremony was marked by the singing of the national anthem, signaling a new chapter for the long-dormant city artery.
