The reopening of Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg has been postponed by two months, with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) now setting the target completion date for the 1.8km rehabilitation project as October 31. This delay means that motorists and local businesses must wait longer for the street, which was previously known as Bree Street.
The postponement stems from cash-flow constraints that impacted the rehabilitation work. The JRA confirmed on Friday, August 28, that full-scale rehabilitation on Phase 2 had recommenced after these operational cash-flow issues were resolved. Phase 2 officially started in September 2025, following the completion and partial opening of Phase 1, which focused on aesthetic improvements to the street.
The damage to Lilian Ngoyi Street occurred on July 19, 2023, following a methane gas explosion that resulted in one fatality and several injuries. A spokesperson for the JRA, Bertha Peters-Scheepers, stated that payments have now been finalized, allowing the contractor to regain momentum on the site. Currently, the project stands at 72% completion.
Bertha Peters-Scheepers explained that the JRA revised the practical completion and reopening date from the end of August 2026 to October 31, 2026, to guarantee the delivery of a fully upgraded, high-capacity arterial road and an underground services network meeting strict engineering and safety standards. She added that this new completion date depends on the consistent and timely payment of service providers moving forward.
The appointed contractor is presently working on crucial upgrades to the road surface, stormwater infrastructure, and sidewalk extensions along Lilian Ngoyi Street, specifically between Ntemi Piliso and End streets, as part of the second and final phase aimed at enhancing the entire 1.8km stretch.
Peters-Scheepers also noted that the ongoing work will integrate the road layout with the recently reconstructed 450m segment between Harrison and Wanderers streets, which reopened to traffic in September 2025 subsequent to the July 2023 gas explosion.
According to the JRA, the current scope of work encompasses paving the road and sidewalks, correcting kerbing and bases at intersections, excavating and installing underground stormwater pipes, constructing stormwater manholes and kerb inlets, and installing electrical lighting.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi assured road users, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders that major construction activities were anticipated to conclude before the October rains, after which the installation of street furniture, bus stops, and landscaping would be finished. He affirmed the JRA's commitment to keeping the project on schedule without any further delays past October 2026.
Peters-Scheepers mentioned that the phased implementation of the project is designed to minimize disruptions to both traffic flow and business operations. Localized and partial closures on Lilian Ngoyi Street and adjacent roads will persist until the end of October as part of the JRA's strategy to accelerate the completion of remaining tasks.
The affected areas include segments running from Wanderers Street to Von Wielligh Street, Von Wielligh Street to Delvers Street, Delvers Street to Troye Street, Troye Street to Polly Street, Polly Street to Claim Street, Claim Street to Nugget Street, and finally Nugget Street to End Street. These sections will be closed sequentially to allow for the finishing of outstanding work, though all intersections will remain functional during these sectional closures.
Kenny Kunene, the city’s MMC for Transport, expressed the metro's dedication to overcoming its difficulties. He stated that the city is committed to resolving cash-flow challenges to maintain continuous service delivery, thereby enabling entities like the JRA to successfully execute essential road infrastructure projects vital for economic activity and public mobility.
The JRA concluded by thanking motorists, residents, and local business owners for their ongoing patience and cooperation while the critical connection route is finalized.