The much-anticipated reopening of Lillian Ngoyi Street, a key artery in Johannesburg’s central business district, is facing potential delays, casting doubt on the city’s promise of a Monday morning completion. The road has been under repair for nearly two years following a gas explosion in 2023.
A visit to the site on Sunday revealed a flurry of activity, but construction workers on the ground expressed skepticism that the repairs would be finished in time. A worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated, “To be honest, I don’t think it will be open tomorrow. Maybe by Friday because we have to finish paving, then road marks, and then pack our stuff.”
The original deadline for the project was last Saturday. However, as of Sunday afternoon, significant work, including final paving and road markings, remained. The delay is further frustrating local business owners who have been severely impacted by the street’s closure.
Gift Namazingi, a business owner on the street for over five years, believes the timeline is more optimistic than realistic. “Maybe end of September,” he said, pointing to the remaining work. “They have been working, and the robots are now working, but they need to finish with the road, then they will remove their stuff.”
The uncertainty surrounding the reopening highlights the ongoing challenges of urban infrastructure projects and the economic strain they place on local businesses.