Repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street in Joburg CBD expected to be completed by August - Morero
Nearly 20 months after the street was destroyed by a gas explosion, it remains a construction zone due to delays.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero on 3 February 2025 gave an update on repairs to Bree Street, which was destroyed by a gas explosion in 2023. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Repairs to the damaged Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD are progressing, with completion expected by August.
Nearly 20 months after the street was destroyed by a gas explosion, it remains a construction zone due to delays.
Repairs have taken a while because of disputes between the city and the previous contractor, who has now been replaced by a new company.
At a media briefing on Monday morning, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said the new contractor has quickly started with the work.
"We are committed to ensuring that by August, we deliver it, and we want to reaffirm to the people of Johannesburg that come August 2025, the road will be functional, and all our motorists will enjoy the road. Over and above, it is also to ensure that we unlock the economy in this particular street and in our city."
Nearly 20 months since the Bree Street gas explosion in Johannesburg CBD, the corridor remains a construction zone.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 3, 2025
Repairs to the street are expected to be completed in August this year with R194 Million set aside for the project. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/94dxjDtzDe
Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg has allocated R26 million to support small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the repair of Bree Street.
At the media briefing, the city announced that the funds would create 80 job opportunities through partnerships with various SMMEs.
These businesses will also assist with restoring Bree Street.
Morero explained that the SMMEs would be responsible for tasks such as paving, water, and sewage reticulation.
“An allocation of R26 million has been set aside for SMME participation. So, in the total of R194 million, we have insisted that R26 has to be reinvested to SMMEs so that they can fully participate in the project.”