The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) says it is confident that the first phase of the rehabilitation work on Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street, is “progressing according to schedule and is still on track” for completion by the end of August 2025.
The road has been closed since July 2023, after a devastating gas explosion which claimed the lives of over 15 people and left others injured as it ripped up the key route into the CBD.
The explosion resulted in the collapse of approximately 450 metres of Lilian Ngoyi Street, between Harrison and Kruis Streets.
The incident also caused substantial damage to vital underground infrastructure, including stormwater and electrical networks.
After a mutual separation agreement and settlement with the first contractor, Step-Up Engineering, the new contractor, Korone Engineering, has been reassigned.
News previously reported that City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero confirmed that the total cost of the project will be R194 million.
JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, despite the recent adverse weather conditions that threatened to delay progress, an acceleration plan was swiftly implemented to mitigate potential setbacks.
“As part of the recovery strategy, the contractor mobilised additional resources and extended working hours, including weekend shifts,” she said.
Peters-Scheepers said proactive measures have ensured that construction remains on schedule, with 43% of the project scope already completed and 60% of the service tunnel completed.
“Notable progress has been achieved on the new and upgraded concrete tunnel, a key element of the overall infrastructure enhancement,” she said.
Meanwhile, JRA acting CEO Lufuno Mashau said, “Beyond the visible construction, this crucial project involves the complex reinstallation and relocation of essential stormwater, water, and sewer pipes.”
Mashau said they are installing new lighting, smoke detection, and ventilation systems in the service tunnels.
“As part of the health and safety assurance and compliance on the project, the lateral support on deep excavations has been installed.”
“Upon completion of this initial phase, the 450-metre section of Lilian Ngoyi Street will feature a newly constructed road surface, expanded sidewalks, designated vendor spaces, upgraded bus stops, and associated street furniture, significantly enhancing the urban environment and pedestrian experience.”
Mashau added that the second phase of the project, scheduled to commence in September 2025, will focus on the rejuvenation of the remainder of 1.8 kilometres of the street, stretching between Ntemi Piliso and End Streets.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng conducted an oversight on the street on Monday.
The delegation included Gauteng shadow MEC for Human Settlements, Mervyn Cirota, Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, Johannesburg central head, Andrew De Blocq MPL, and councillors in the City of Johannesburg.
The party said that it discovered that the rehabilitation project of Lillian Ngoyi Street is underway.
However, Cirota said the DA completing the work within three months is unrealistic
“We estimate that it may take another year.”
He said the DA will be sending questions to the City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi to ascertain who is responsible for the project, the actual timelines, the budget spent, and the work done thus far.
“It serves no one for the Gauteng residents to have their hopes raised only for the project to stall.
“This is one of the reasons why the DA has filed a motion of no confidence against the City of Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, who has proven ineffective in holding people accountable,” Cirota said.
“It is also the reason why the DA finds Premier Lesufi unfit for purpose because this is happening under his watch.”
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