THE Lillian Ngoyi Street- formerly Bree Street rehabilitation to begin at a tune of R196m.
This was confirmed by the executive mayor of City of Joburg Kabelo Gwamanda, during media brief recently.
The Lililian Ngoyi Street exploded as a result of gas in 2023, resulting in one death unfortunately, and 48 others injured, and damaging taxis and cars.
Some of nearby residents living in flats along the street had to be evacuated, as a result of a mayhem.
Gwamanda confirmed a contractor had been appointed to officially commence with the rehabilitation.
“As of today, we have a contractor on site who has been appointed to conduct the following: The excavation and removal of the rubble and damaged infrastructure.
The demolition and removal of the service tunnels. The construction and replacement of the tunnels and infrastructure. The installation of modern health and safety structures to mitigate the risks of similar incidents in the future.”
The underground gas explosion that ripped through a portion of the street in July last year, was revealed that methane gas was the cause of the explosion.
“Since the incident, the Technical Team, in collaboration with city officials, has been working diligently to secure, recover, and restore Lillian Ngoyi Street. We are pleased to announce that the construction phase, focusing on road redevelopment, service infrastructure, and associated amenities, has officially commenced.
Our dedication to a swift response was evident from the outset, ensuring a streamlined supply chain management process.
The Quality Assurance Committee, chaired by the Group Chief Financial Officer, oversaw all procurement processes, maintaining strict adherence to supply chain management and financial regulations. Transparent and fair procedures were implemented, with probity integrated at every stage,” read the press statement from the CoJ.
It read as follows: ”Following our commitment in the October 13, 2023 media briefing, a contractor has been appointed, and construction is underway, managed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) through a robust 7-Stage Project Management process.
The planning and design stages, initiated on 22 August 2023, concluded on 20 November 2023, encompassing crucial steps such as identifying impacted services, allocating budgets, and appointing a professional services provider.
The City is investing R196 million in professional fees and construction costs to cover roadworks, stormwater and services infrastructure, electrical, mechanical, and structural works.
Says the CoJ: “The construction period spans from 11 January 2024 to 15 December 2024, with stringent oversight by the JRA to ensure adherence to timelines.
Simultaneously, the City has submitted a disaster declaration application, seeking funding for the rehabilitation work. Despite the ongoing finalization process with the Province, we recognize the urgency and have reallocated our budget to expedite rehabilitation efforts.
As part of our commitment to safety, we are actively assessing other service tunnels throughout the city to prevent future incidents. Designs for their upgrades are expected to be finalized in June 2024, with actual upgrades scheduled for the 2024/2025 financial year.
This initiative reflects not only our response to challenges but also our commitment to the well-being of Johannesburg’s residents. We will continue collaborating, acting with vision, and taking decisive actions to rebuild and elevate our city.”
(Under rehabilitation. The evening that shall not be forgotten. Lillian Ngoyi Street in Jourg to be fixed after gas explosion in 2023).
