Trams to run on the new Danube bridge of Budapest? – plans already cost 12.9M EUR

Planning and obtaining the needed permits will take at least 2-3 years, so the construction will start only after that. Though we already know that the plans cost 4.1 billion HUF (EUR 12.9M), it is still unclear how much money the project will cost overall.

As we reported before, the idea of building a new bridge connecting South Buda and Csepel first appeared when Budapest submitted its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. However, after the successful signature collection campaign of Momentum against hosting the Olympics, Budapest withdrew from the contest, but the architectural design competition for the new bridge was not cancelled. In fact, the winning application of the Dutch Van Berkel en Bos and British Buro Happold Engineering was selected from 17 international contestants.

Many designed less conservative one-pylon suspension bridges, but the jury thought that

a two-pylon solution suits the other bridges of Budapest better

– forbes.hu reported.

The Centre for Prominent Government Investments ordered the complete planning application documentation for 4.1 billion HUF (EUR 12.9M). Architectures have to write the planning application documents and have to be available during the licencing procedure. Furthermore, they have to help in the selection process of the building contractor happening through public procurement.

The new 2×3-laned bridge over the Danube will connect Galvani Street and Illatos Road, and a tramway will also get a place on it. Its design will make it “unique and elegant, and at the same time dynamic and powerful.” Moreover, according to the previous expectations, it would ease the traffic congestions not only in the case of the downtown bridges by 55 thousand vehicles per day, but it is also hoped to put an end to the long line of cars on Üllői Street, redirecting more than 6,000 vehicles a day.

As we reported before, critics say that in the southern part of Budapest, the Albertfalva Bridge should be prioritised. The only reason the Galvan Bridge jumped to the beginning of the list is the bid to host the Olympics; however, after the withdrawal of Budapest’s application, there is no justification for it to keep its position there. Some say that the plans are going to be executed only because PM Orbán has not given up on hosting the 2032 Summer Olympic Games in Budapest.

Of course, the Galvan Bridge is useful, the criticism only refers to the order of constructions, since the Albertfalva Bridge is long awaited by the inhabitants of the concerned territories. Critics say that there would be no problem with the 2033 inauguration of the Galvan Bridge provided that the remaining one and a half decades produce at least one, or even two, Danube passages in Budapest.

Featured image: facebook.com/365daysinHungary

Source: forbes.hu