Johannesburg: The City of Johannesburg has assured that the Lilian Ngoyi Street Rehabilitation Project reopening in October 2026 is still on track with the project having reached over 75% completion. This week, Mayor Dada Morero, together with City Manager Dr. Floyd Brink and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) officials, led a tour of the 1.8km corridor to assess progress on Phase Two of the project.
According to South African Government News Agency, some three years ago, an explosion caused by methane gas rocked Lillian Ngoyi Street, claiming the life of at least one person and leaving over 40 others injured. The incident necessitated the R192 million restoration project. Mayor Morero emphasized the complexity of the project, stating that it is not a normal road but a transport precinct. Following the 2023 gas explosion, critical underground infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, had to be rebuilt, alongside installing additional services to support the city's future growth.
Engineers were required to excavate up to five meters deep to rebuild the foundation and accommodate the infrastructure, making this project more complex than a standard road upgrade. By 31 October, the city aims not only to reopen Lilian Ngoyi Street but also to restore a safer, stronger, and more resilient corridor for Johannesburg.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi assured that major works are expected to be completed ahead of the October reopening. Nyathi stated that every effort is being made to keep the project on track and avoid further delays beyond October 2026.