By Thapelo Molefe
The City of Johannesburg has reopened Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly Bree Street, after completing the first phase of long-delayed rehabilitation works nearly two years after a deadly underground gas explosion tore through the CBD.
The rebuilt section, paved with bricks instead of traditional tar, was officially reopened on Monday by Joburg mayor Dada Morero.
The road is now open to pedestrians and will be accessible to vehicles from 12 September.
Morero described the reopening as both a recovery milestone and part of a broader effort to reimagine the city’s core.
The July 2023 explosion, triggered by methane gas igniting in an underground service tunnel, destroyed a 500-metre stretch of the busy road, killed one person, injured 48 others, and forced its closure.
Lilian Ngoyi Street is a vital commuter corridor linking businesses, taxi ranks, and public services in the inner city. The city estimates that disruptions since the blast have affected a Pan-African trading economy worth more than R10 billion.
For over two years, residents, traders, and commuters have endured uncertainty and daily disruption while waiting for the road’s rehabilitation.
“The completion of Phase 1 is a testament to our city’s resilience,” Morero said.
“We are not just fixing what was broken; we are rebuilding with a vision for a safer, more connected, and prosperous future. This project, which marks a new chapter, is a clear example of our commitment to reimagining our urban spaces and ensuring they serve the needs of all our residents.”
Phase 1 involved the reconstruction of a 450-metre segment of the road, the installation of a new road surface, and the construction of a precast concrete tunnel to restore underground services.
The R192 million project was meant to be completed in just over a year but instead stretched to 26 months — double the original timeline.
Progress was slowed by contractual disputes, and when the city cut ties with the initial contractor in 2024, the fallout led to additional setbacks and growing frustration from the public.
Phase 2, officially launched at the reopening event, will rejuvenate a 1.8 km stretch from Ntemi Piliso Street to 102 End Street.
The work will form part of the city’s broader Transit Mall Concept, which seeks to modernise the inner city, improve pedestrian safety, reduce vehicle congestion, and create a more economically vibrant corridor.
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) chief executive Zweli Nyathi said the redesign will transform the character of the street.
“As part of our transport master plan, we want to reduce vehicle congestion and promote mobility. People must walk, and people must feel safe,” he said.
“We are also installing advanced pedestrian traffic signals with timers, improving pavements, and addressing safety concerns such as jaywalking.”
The JRA confirmed that the project remains within budget and said final figures would be consolidated at the end of Phase 2.
During a site visit in July, Democratic Alliance Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga cast doubt on the city’s ability to deliver on its timelines.
“If anything is completed here, I will give you my left kidney. It’s not going to happen by September. This is more than a month’s job,” he said at the time.
Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly Bree Street commemorated a milestone in Johannesburg’s ongoing journey of recovery and renewal. PHOTO: X/COJ
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