A year after Bree Street gas explosion, JRA appoints new contractor

JOHANNESBURG - A year since the Bree Street gas explosion, only excavations of the 1.8-kilometer stretch of road have been done.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) said that a new contractor would start work this month.

Authorities said this means that the work may only be completed in 2026.

READ: Lilian Ngoyi Street blast paved way towards ‘smart infrastructure’ – CoJ’s Floyd Brink

When the stretch of Bree Street caved in a year ago, one person died, and 41 others were injured.

Lillian Ngoyi Street was ripped open when suspected methane gas ignited underground, causing the road to crack and partially cave in, as cars and people were flung into the air.

Last year engineering firm, Step-Up, was awarded the tender to clear rubble and divert sewage and electricity lines damaged by the explosion.

However, poor performance by the company in not being able to meet contractual deliverables saw JRA terminate their contract, despite having paid close to R20 million for work that was incomplete.

JRA said that a new contractor would begin work on the road this month, more than a year after the incident.

A budget of R192 million is allocated for the entire project.