AN estimated amount of R178 million is expected to be used to redesign Lilian Ngoyi Street, formally known as Bree Street in the Joburg CBD.
That amount might change once the City of Joburg receives detailed designs for the entire project which is expected to take no longer than 18 months.
City manager Floyd Brink revealed this on Wednesday, 2 August, during a media briefing on the developments following the explosion in the inner city on 19 July.
He said to date the city alone had spent about R4 million on the Bree Street restoration project. This includes money spent on professional experts’ services, cording off the site, technology used and the provision of temporary relief services in a form of water tankers and temporary ablution services.
It has been a week and a half since the busy street of Bree has been closed off following the incident. At this moment, the city has confirmed that methane was the cause of the explosion, further ruling out terrorism action, zama zamas, cable theft or foul play by anybody.
The city furthermore eliminated negligence by Egoli Gas or any department, which have since been the main cause of speculation.
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While lessons have been learnt from the unfortunate incident and the cause has been established, the next plan of action is to devise plans to repair the busy main street.
According to Brink, to avoid a future recurrence of this nature, the tunnel design would be upgraded based on current international codes for tunnels to reduce the risk and severity of explosions. He said they needed to introduce continuous gas detection and alarms as well as gas detector sensor monitors for all streets.
“Tunnel roof and sidewalls will be designed to withstand and depressurise with deflagration vents a 9,5% Methane explosion. Suitable materials for the tunnel would be reinforced, concrete side walls and roofs designed for this over-pressure and release,” Brink said
He alluded that the repairs would not take up to 18 months as they are trying to ensure that the street is reopened as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has urged residents not to put pressure on the city to ensure the repairs were done well. He said the city remains a top priority across all departments and that they were trying to put their best foot forward.
