Morero says hefty funds to repair Lilian Ngoyi Street will also be used to upgrade corridor
Nearly R200 million has been set aside for the project, raising questions about the high cost of restoring just a portion of the two-kilometre stretch.
FILE: 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 - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has defended the hefty cost of repairing Lilian Ngoyi Street in the CBD, explaining that the funds will also be used to upgrade the entire corridor.
The busy street was severely damaged by an underground gas explosion two years ago, and the metro has pledged to complete the repairs by the end of August.
Nearly R200 million has been set aside for the project, raising questions about the high cost of restoring just a portion of the two-kilometre stretch.
Morero has clarified that the budget covers more than just road repairs.
“We took a view to refurbish the entire Lilian Ngoyi so that we achieve what we call the complete street programme to ensure that we can extend the pavements, bring in trees and street furniture so that the entire street is complete. That is why the costs might have gone as high as R194 million.”
Morero has assured residents that repairs will be completed by the specified deadline.
“We’ve done a whole new program. Instead of addressing where the explosion happened, we are addressing the whole street. We are completing the repairs by the end of August, and we are on track. On the 1st of September, I will be there to reopen the road.”