Joburg Roads Agency says Lilian Ngoyi Street repairs at 77% complete
The 1.8km stretch was destroyed by an underground gas explosion two years ago.
An image of the site of the Lilian Ngoyi Street blast, where an underground gas explosion ripped open an extensive strip of roadway in July 2023, was posted by Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda on 11 January 2024. Picture: X/KabeloGwamanda
JOHANNESBURG - Repairs to the damaged Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD are progressing well, with 77% of the work having been completed.
The 1.8km stretch was destroyed by an underground gas explosion two years ago.
While there’ve been delays in finishing the repairs due to disputes with contractors, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) said the road would be open to the public on 31 August.
Heavy machinery, dust, and constant digging are still a daily sight on what used to be the busy Lilian Ngoyi Street.
With the road still reduced to gravel and no asphalt laid yet, the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s Solly Msimanga said it appears unlikely that the city will meet its self-imposed deadline.
“It’s not going to happen by September. This is more than a month’s job. You can see there are still pipes that are still hanging.”
READ: DA's Msimanga says he'll give his 'left kidney' if Lilian Ngoyi street repairs completed by August
However, Johannesburg Roads Agency CEO Zweli Nyathi said the bulk of the work has been completed.
“The project is at 77% complete. So far, so good. The catch-up plan has worked after we lost a lot of time, and we are back on track.”
Once the road is repaired, phase two of the project will begin, focusing on cleaning and beautifying Lilian Ngoyi Street.
The City of Johannesburg says repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg CBD will be completed by August 31, 2025.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 22, 2025
In July 2023, the Street was severely damaged due to an underground gas explosion. @JusstAlpha pic.twitter.com/hFmd3e0fVo