Despite the delay in the completion of Phase 1 of the reconstruction of Lilian Ngoyi street, in the central business district of Johannesburg, it is expected to be completed by June 2025, with the second phase set to be completed in June 2026.

Phase 1 includes the reconstruction of 450 m of collapsed road and associated infrastructure, construction of a new reinforced concrete tunnel, reinstallation and relocation of stormwater and sewer pipes, installation of lighting, detection and ventilation systems, as well as the implementation of lateral support for structural stability.

Phase 2 will require the new contractor to implement upgrades to the road surface and infrastructure and adjust the sidewalks along the 1.8-km stretch on Lilian Ngoyi street.

As reported by Engineering News Online, the Johannesburg Road Association (JRA) in late August, sought to appoint a new, competitive contractor for the rehabilitation and reconstruction project, as the delay in the project’s completion was owed to the former contractor, Step-Up Engineering, failing to meet several contractual obligations.

The JRA and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) reportedly issued several letters to Step-Up Engineering before terminating its appointment, including a contract breach correspondence for failure to submit contractual deliverables, non-adherence to project requirements notices, outstanding documentation notices, warning letters for non-submission of project documentation, and poor performance notices with the hope to implement corrective measures.

“JRA is sensitive to the impact this sectional closure of Lilian Ngoyi street (between Harrison and Wanderers streets) has on road users, business owners, residents, and other stakeholders, and consequently, we are taking swift action to ensure the quick resumption of construction through the appointment of a new contractor to prevent any further unnecessary delays and inconvenience to the public,” JRA acting CEO Lufuno Mashau said at the time.

The JRA recently concluded the process of appointing a contractor that holds a high Construction Industry Development Board grading, to complete the remaining work of the first phase of the rehabilitation project, as well as undertake the second phase of the project.

Last month, local news organisation Eyewitness News reported that a contractor had been appointed and was expected to start working on the project before month-end.

In the year since the Bree Street gas explosion that caused the damage, the JRA has regularly expressed its gratitude to road users, residents, business owners and stakeholders for maintaining patience for the duration of the project and pleads for their continued understanding.

Since the closure of the road, the JRA and COJ, along with key stakeholders, have continued to engage in quarterly stakeholder meetings to address the challenges faced in wards 59, 60 and 124.