Lilian Ngoyi Street Reopens to Traffic Two Years After Gas Explosion

City of Johannesburg reopens Lilian Ngoyi street. (EWN)

by Mathipa Phishego

Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street has officially reopened to traffic in the Johannesburg CBD after being closed for more than two years following a deadly underground gas explosion in July 2023.

The blast ripped through the busy inner-city road, killing one person, injuring 48 others, and splitting the street in half. Businesses were disrupted, commuters forced to find alternative routes, and residents left frustrated as repairs dragged on.

In July 2023, an underground methane gas leak caused an explosion that tore apart Lilian Ngoyi Street, sending cars into the air and leaving a gaping trench across the CBD. The disaster was one of the most shocking infrastructure failures in the city’s recent history.

Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has now completed Phase 1 of the rehabilitation at a cost of R192 million. The project included stabilising underground tunnels, replacing old infrastructure, resurfacing the road with paving bricks instead of tar, and widening pedestrian walkways.

JRA Chief Executive Officer Zweli Nyathi said the redesign was about more than just fixing the damage. “The new Lilian Ngoyi Street design helps create a more balanced and efficient transport network, supporting nearby businesses, residents, and the overall vibrancy of our community. It ensures safe and convenient travel for everyone, from pedestrians and public transport users to motorists, catering to people of all ages and abilities,” he said.

According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the reopened section will operate as a one-way street travelling eastbound between Loveday Street and End Street.

“The newly reconstructed road, between Loveday Street and End Street, will be a one-way street travelling eastbound. Our primary responsibility will be to ensure a smooth transition to the new traffic flow and enforce bylaws to maintain order and safety for all road users,” states the statement from JMPD.

Intersections at Rissik, Joubert, Eloff, Von Brandis, and Wanderers streets are now open, but access at Loveday and Kruis streets remains closed during the transition.

This is a relief for businesses in the area as the reopening is a long-overdue relief. Local shop owner Jeff Sithole said he would only believe the promises once the road was open to the public, adding that the delays nearly forced him to shut down.

Opposition leaders were also critical of the timeline. Earlier this year, DA provincial leader Solly Msimanga mocked the city’s promises saying, “if anything is completed here, I will give you my left kidney. It’s not going to happen by September. This is more than a month’s job.”

Despite the criticism, motorists and taxi operators welcomed the reopening. Calling it a vital step toward restoring normal traffic flow in the inner city.

The city confirmed that Phase 2 of the project will focus on urban beautification, improved lighting, landscaping, and making the area more pedestrian-friendly. Officials say the goal is to restore Lilian Ngoyi Street as a safe, vibrant, and economically active corridor in Johannesburg’s CBD.

The reopening marks the end of a two-year closure that symbolised both Joburg’s infrastructure challenges and the resilience of its residents.