Lilian Ngoyi Street restoration: Mayor justifies use of paving instead of tar

JOHANNEBURG - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has justified the decision to surface the newly reconstructed Lilian Ngoyi Street in the CBD with paving bricks rather than traditional tar.

The city has completed repairs on the road, which was damaged by an underground gas pipe explosion in July 2023.

The 1.8 km stretch has been paved with bricks, and the sidewalks have been extended to improve pedestrian access.

Morero said the paving bricks enhance the overall appearance of the precinct, making it more visually appealing than before.

“The reason we moved to this is to have a nice feel to the road. We made it nicer and more accessible to pedestrians and to motorists, so that it’s not only friendly to motorists.”

While repairs to the road itself have been completed, the road will only be opened to traffic next Friday.

Morero said construction teams are still completing some minor touch-ups.

“It’s just small issues that the contractors are completing. The project is done, and the road is ready. We just have to finalise the sidewalks. It’s just small issues, so by the 12th, it will be fully ready.”

DA BAYS FOR BLOOD

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has written to the National Treasury, seeking an investigation into the contract awarded for the repairs of Lilian Ngoyi Street.

The party is demanding a full breakdown of the expenditure, saying it wants to ensure that no official benefitted from the project.

Morero has already provided a cost report, confirming that R82 million has been spent so far on reconstructing the once busy street.

DA regional leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the National Treasury’s intervention is necessary.

“The DA further demands: A forensic audit into both contracts and all officials involved; A full public breakdown of expenditure and reasons for cost escalations; and a clear, realistic completion timeline, without more empty promises.”

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• Lilian Ngoyi Street won’t be open to traffic despite completion of first phase restoration