Lilian Ngoyi Street reopens to traffic

JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg has finally reopened Lilian Ngoyi Street in the city’s CBD on Friday morning after missing its own deadline over a week ago.

The city was initially meant to reopen the road on 1 September, but it only announced completion of the repairs on that day.

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One person died and several others were injured when the bustling road was split in the middle by an underground gas explosion two years ago.

Upon arrival, construction equipment was still on the scene, road markings were yet to be painted, and green construction nets still cordoned off the street.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that the road will be opened on Friday morning and said officers will be in the area to monitor traffic.

“The JMPD's primary responsibility will be to ensure a smooth transition to the new traffic flow and enforce by-laws to maintain order and safety for all road users. We urge all road users to exercise patience and caution. Motorists should adhere to the new traffic signals and road markings. Pedestrians and cyclists must utilise the newly designed sidewalks and designated crossing points.”

The road has been surfaced with paving bricks, moving away from the traditional tar.