The City of Johannesburg has embarked on a major rehabilitation project, committing R196 million to repair the damages caused by a gas explosion on Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street. This significant financial allocation underscores the city's dedication to restoring and upgrading its infrastructure in the wake of the disaster.

The explosion, which occurred last year, inflicted considerable damage on a large section of the roadway. In response, the city has contracted Durapi Consulting and Step Up Engineering for the comprehensive rehabilitation work. This project is not merely a repair job but a forward-looking initiative aimed at overhauling the ageing infrastructure. The scope of work includes removing the debris, reconstructing and replacing service tunnels, and introducing modern health and safety measures to minimize the risk of future incidents.

This rehabilitation effort is expected to not only restore the damaged street but also enhance the overall safety and resilience of the city's infrastructure. Moreover, it's projected to generate economic opportunities by creating at least 80 jobs and involving six SMMEs in the process. The project is on track for completion by December 15, 2024.

This substantial investment by the City of Johannesburg demonstrates its commitment to both immediate recovery and long-term urban improvement, ensuring safer and more efficient infrastructure for its residents