City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has expressed confidence that the initial phase of the Lillian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation project will meet its August deadline during a media briefing on Monday.
Morero and Johannesburg’s Transport MMC, Kenny Kunene, addressed the media briefing on Monday, at the construction site in the heart of Johannesburg’s CBD.
He reported that Korone Engineering, the newly appointed contractor following a legal dispute with the previous contractor, Step Up Engineers, has already completed 15% of the work.
This follows a tragic methane gas explosion in July 2023, which claimed one life and injured 41 others, causing a section of the street to collapse.
Morero told reporters that the project’s second phase, aimed at rejuvenating a 1.8-kilometer stretch from Ntemi Piliso to End Streets, is scheduled for completion by August 2026.
The rehabilitation efforts, initiated after a thorough investigation pinpointed a gas explosion in a service tunnel as the cause, are now progressing steadily under Korone Engineering’s supervision.
“We are pleased to announce the resumption of the Lillian Ngoyi Street Rehabilitation project with our new contractor, Korone Engineering, a CIDB Grade 9CE (Civil Engineering) General Building contractor,” Morero said.
“With site establishment complete, the team is actively engaged in tunnel construction, material processing, and utility repairs. Our goal remains the restoration of this crucial thoroughfare to ensure a safer and more efficient urban environment for all.”
Morero also pointed out the economic benefits of the project, noting that R26 million from the 2024/25 budget has been allocated to support 28 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) partnering with the city.
This initiative aims to create at least 80 job opportunities and provide valuable training in construction-related skills such as site safety management and paving works.
“This project is more than rebuilding a street; it’s about rebuilding our inner-city community,” said Morero.
The overall budget for the project stands at R94 million for the current financial year, with future funding allocations to be adjusted as necessary.
“We extend our gratitude to road users, businesses, and residents of the inner city for their patience and cooperation as we continue to make progress on this essential infrastructure project,” Morero said.
INSIDE METROS