Major expansion begins on Budapest–Vienna motorway – more affordable vignettes for those affected
As of 1 September, construction has begun on the main lane expansion of the M1 motorway, according to a joint statement released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM) and MKIF Hungarian Concessions Infrastructure Development Plc, via MTI.
Hungary’s largest motorway expansion
Officials emphasised that under the supervision and support of the ÉKM, Hungary’s largest motorway expansion is now under way. Construction begins with the removal of vegetation from the central reservation and the building of service crossovers, although preliminary work has been ongoing since last autumn.
The M1 will be expanded to 2×3 lanes over a 78-kilometre stretch between the M0 Ring Road and the Concó rest area at kilometre 94. In addition, each side will include so-called intelligent emergency lanes that can be opened during accidents, roadworks or heavy traffic — enabling up to 2×4 lanes of travel between Budapest and Győr, the statement said.
Based on the concession contract with the Hungarian state, the section between the M0 and Bicske is scheduled for completion by 31 August 2028, and the segment up to the Concó rest area by 31 August 2029. Although the motorway will also be expanded between the Concó rest area and Hegyeshalom, work on that section will begin at a later stage. Throughout the project, lane closures will be managed to ensure that two lanes in each direction remain open.
Website available in 13 languages
To provide accurate and real-time information to motorists, MKIF Plc launched a dedicated website about the M1 expansion on Tuesday. The site includes all traffic-related updates, such as interchange and rest area closures, current diversions with maps, emergency procedures, and real-time traffic regulations.
The continuously updated site is available in 13 languages: Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian, Polish, Turkish, Bulgarian, English, German and Russian. The website is accessible by clicking HERE.
An animation showing the progression from the current traffic configuration to the final expanded layout is available here:
Comprehensive development
Officials highlighted that the M1 expansion involves more than simply adding new lanes. It is a comprehensive, system-level development. Seventy-two existing overpasses and underpasses will be rebuilt to meet new structural standards, as the widened carriageway would not fit beneath or over the current structures.
In addition, eleven interchanges will be upgraded and four new grade-separated interchanges will be constructed. Six major service areas will be completely reconstructed, while others will be expanded and modernised. Around 300 new lorry parking spaces will be created, together with family-friendly upgrades to rest facilities.
Engineering centres in Bicske and Komárom will be upgraded and expanded. Seven at-grade sub-interchanges will be converted into modern roundabouts. New drainage and water retention systems will be installed. The length and height of noise barriers will also be significantly increased, the statement detailed.
Financing: loans and own funds
The M1 expansion is being financed through a combination of loans and MKIF’s own resources, undertaken under the concession agreement with the Hungarian state and in cooperation with the Ministry of Construction and Transport.
This represents the largest motorway expansion in decades and is part of a ten-year development programme. Between 2025 and 2034, the concession company plans to expand the M7 and M3 motorways by an additional 299 kilometres and build 279 kilometres of new expressways.
Minister János Lázár: new toll sticker coming
Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár appeared on ATV’s ‘Egyenes Beszéd’ (Straight Talk) programme on Monday evening, where he discussed various infrastructure projects, including the M1 rebuild that commenced that day. He announced that beginning in 2026, residents living near the M1 — which connects Budapest to the Austrian border — will be able to purchase a discounted annual toll sticker for just 15,000 forints (EUR 38).
He noted that a major traffic management operation is planned to prevent severe congestion, and emphasised that the expansion is crucial given the motorway’s current overload. At present, an annual national toll sticker costs just under 60,000 forints (EUR 151). Lázár did not specify the exact area eligible for the discounted sticker or what documentation will be required.
Read also:
- Hungary to raise motorway vignette prices: but there’s a silver lining
- More than 500 km upgraded: Greatest motorway upgrade in Hungary’s history resumes
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