CoJ: Newly repaired Lilian Ngoyi Street to open to motorists from 12 September

CAPE TOWN - Despite previous commitments to reopen Lilian Ngoyi Street to traffic on Monday, the City of Johannesburg says motorists will only be able to use the road from 12 September.

Mayor Dada Morero said that while the main repair work was finished, a few touch-ups still needed to be completed before the road could safely reopen.

The street was severely damaged in July 2023, when an underground gas explosion split it in two, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

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The City of Johannesburg has completed major repairs on Lilian Ngoyi Street, but the road will remain closed to traffic until at least 12 September.

The metro said the delay was due to ongoing work, including paving sidewalks, removing construction equipment, painting road markings, and completing a bus stop shelter.

Morero said that 12 more days was all they needed to complete everything.

"On the 12th, you can come and drive, walk and you can open your businesses. There are a whole lot of things that you’ll be able to do. Some businesses are already operating."

So far, only R82 million has been spent to fix the road.