The Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation in central Johannesburg is moving into its final stages, with the City of Johannesburg targeting 31 October 2026 for completion of the remaining work. Mayor Dada Morero and Johannesburg Roads Agency officials inspected the site this week, where major road construction has progressed and work is continuing on sidewalks, paving and other finishing elements. The R192 million project includes extensive underground tunnel reconstruction as well as new water and electricity infrastructure following the July 2023 gas explosion that severely damaged the street.
Lilian Ngoyi Street work moves into final stages
The latest site inspection provided an update on work along Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street, as the city works towards its revised completion date.
Johannesburg Roads Agency CEO Zweli Nyathi said the road has already been compacted, with much of the major construction work completed.
Remaining work includes paving, kerbs, piping, sidewalks, street furniture and other finishing elements required before the rehabilitation can be completed.
Nyathi said contractors had given the city assurances that the revised deadline could be met. Officials are also conducting inspections to verify progress and identify outstanding work.
Underground infrastructure forms major part of R192 million project
While much of the visible work involves rebuilding the road, the rehabilitation has also required extensive construction beneath Lilian Ngoyi Street.
Morero said the R192 million project cost includes the reconstruction of underground tunnels and the installation of new water and electricity infrastructure.
The mayor said additional infrastructure requirements were identified during construction and had to be incorporated into the project.
New technology and lighting have also been introduced inside the tunnels, while access has been improved to allow municipal teams to reach infrastructure more easily. City Power is still expected to complete one electricity line.
New tunnels improve access to municipal services
The underground tunnels are a key component of the rehabilitation because several municipal services run beneath the road.
According to Nyathi, the rebuilt tunnels have been designed to make infrastructure safer and easier for municipal teams to access when maintenance is required.
Engineers encountered concrete structures and other underground conditions while construction was underway, requiring adjustments to the original designs.
Some sections required deeper excavation, new cables and new supporting surfaces beneath the road. These additional works formed part of the broader rehabilitation rather than simply replacing the damaged road surface.
Infrastructure designed for long term use
The Johannesburg Roads Agency said the underground work was approached with the long term operation of municipal services in mind.
Nyathi said the city wanted the new infrastructure to remain functional for decades while allowing for changes in technology and future infrastructure requirements.
This includes creating improved access for teams responsible for electricity, water and other services beneath the road.
The rehabilitation therefore addresses both the damage visible at street level and the condition of infrastructure that existed below the road before the project began.
Rehabilitation follows 2023 gas explosion
The project follows the underground gas explosion that ripped through Lilian Ngoyi Street on 19 July 2023.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the road, killed one person and injured several others.
According to Nyathi, the condition of the old underground tunnels formed part of the infrastructure challenges identified after the explosion.
The tunnels dated back several decades and contained water, electricity cables and other infrastructure. The rehabilitation has provided an opportunity to reconstruct these underground sections while rebuilding the damaged road above them.
Second phase covers remaining 1.8 kilometres
The rehabilitation has been carried out in phases.
The first phase was completed in August 2025, with the reopening formally announced the following month.
The second phase covers the remaining 1.8 kilometre stretch of Lilian Ngoyi Street and is now scheduled for completion by the end of October.
The project had previously been expected to reach completion in August 2026. Morero said cash flow challenges within the city contributed to delays affecting the work.
October deadline set for remaining work
The City of Johannesburg is now working towards 31 October 2026 as the revised completion date.
Morero said work was continuing on sidewalks, including paving and the installation of street furniture.
Nyathi said the road itself had progressed substantially and described much of the remaining work as finishing elements around the completed construction.
The city will continue conducting site inspections as contractors work towards the October deadline.
Why Lilian Ngoyi Street matters to central Johannesburg
Lilian Ngoyi Street is located within Johannesburg’s central business district, where construction affects motorists, pedestrians, public transport users and businesses operating around the affected area.
The street remains a construction site while the final work continues, meaning road users may still experience changes to traffic and pedestrian movement.
Completing the project will restore the damaged road while also leaving the city with reconstructed underground infrastructure beneath the affected section.
The latest update indicates that major road construction has progressed substantially, with the remaining work now focused on completing the surrounding infrastructure and street level finishes.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents travelling into central Johannesburg, the latest update provides a clearer timeline for when the current rehabilitation work is expected to be completed.
Motorists, commuters and pedestrians should continue to account for construction around Lilian Ngoyi Street until the project is finalised.
The rehabilitation also means infrastructure beneath the street is being upgraded alongside the road itself. The project includes reconstructed tunnels, new water and electricity infrastructure, improved access, lighting and other underground improvements.
If the current schedule is maintained, the remaining rehabilitation work is expected to be completed by 31 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation be completed?
The City of Johannesburg is targeting 31 October 2026 for completion of the remaining rehabilitation work.
How much does the Lilian Ngoyi Street project cost?
The project is valued at approximately R192 million. According to the city, this includes road rehabilitation, reconstructed underground tunnels and new water and electricity infrastructure.
What work has already been completed?
The Johannesburg Roads Agency says major road construction has progressed significantly. Remaining work includes sidewalks, paving, kerbs, piping, street furniture and other finishing elements.
Why is there extensive construction underground?
Municipal infrastructure, including water and electricity services, runs beneath Lilian Ngoyi Street. The rehabilitation has included rebuilding ageing tunnels and improving access to these services.
What caused the damage to Lilian Ngoyi Street?
An underground gas explosion occurred on 19 July 2023, causing extensive damage to the road. One person was killed and several others were injured.
Lilian Ngoyi Street enters final stretch of rehabilitation
The rehabilitation of Lilian Ngoyi Street is progressing towards its revised 31 October 2026 completion date, with major road construction substantially advanced and remaining work focused on sidewalks, paving and other finishing elements.
Beyond restoring the road damaged by the 2023 explosion, the R192 million project has included extensive work beneath the street, including reconstructed tunnels and upgraded water and electricity infrastructure.
For Johannesburg residents, commuters and businesses, the October deadline marks the next major milestone in the rehabilitation of one of the central business district’s key streets.
