Why Lilian Ngoyi Street Remains Closed Despite Completed Repairs

Johannesburg motorists hoping to drive through Lilian Ngoyi Street this week were met with disappointment. Despite the City officially announcing the completion of phase one restoration, the once-bustling road remains fenced off, still carrying the scars of the devastating gas explosion that tore through it in July 2023.

A Street with History and Heart

Formerly known as Bree Street, Lilian Ngoyi Street has always been more than just a traffic artery. It’s a lifeline of the inner city, connecting shops, taxi ranks and small businesses that thrive on pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The 2023 underground gas explosion, which killed one person and injured dozens, not only ripped up the asphalt but also disrupted the economic rhythm of Joburg’s CBD.

The City promised that “business as usual” would return once phase one repairs were completed. Instead, the barricades remain, leaving many residents wondering whether the street will ever return to its former pulse.

A New Look, A New Vision

Mayor Dada Morero cut a determined figure on Monday, announcing the milestone alongside Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO, Zweli Nyathi. Unlike before, when the road was surfaced with tar, the rebuilt section now features paving bricks.

According to Nyathi, this is part of the city’s long-term “smart” masterplan. “We are beautifying the city all the way to the Transit Mall,” he explained, noting that phase two will bring more significant changes, including fewer traffic lanes and expanded pedestrian areas.

For city planners, this signals a shift towards creating a more walkable, modern Johannesburg. But for frustrated motorists, the vision feels like a delay dressed up as progress.

Why the Street Is Still Closed

The main reason for the continued closure? The clean-up is not finished. Dust and sand still coat parts of the newly bricked surface, while safety concerns around the explosion zone remain. Construction teams are still at work, and the City has made it clear that the area will only reopen once it is “fully safe and functional.”

What Comes Next

With phase one behind them, city officials have shifted focus to phase two of the project, which promises further reconstruction and a redesigned flow of traffic. No firm date has been given for reopening, leaving Joburg residents caught between hope and skepticism.

For now, Lilian Ngoyi Street stands as a symbol of both resilience and frustration: a street rebuilt but still out of reach.

Source:EWN 

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