Official: Austria and Hungary to connect their motorways

In recent weeks, the connection of Austrian and Hungarian motorways has noticeably accelerated. The exact location and timeline for the connection of the two countries’ road networks are now known.

Austria and Hungary to connect motorways

In recent weeks, the connection of Austrian and Hungarian motorways has noticeably accelerated. Photo: FB/NÚSZ

A new expressway link between Hungary and Austria is being established, as announced by the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM) on Tuesday morning, Világgazdaság reports.

The agreement signed concerns the connection of the Hungarian M80 expressway and the Austrian S7 Fürstenfeld expressway at the border. The agreement was signed by Hungarian State Secretary for Transport, Bálint Nagy, and Austrian Ambassador Alexander Grubmayr.

The development was first reported a few weeks ago by Világgazdaság. The Hungarian Gazette published a government decree authorising the finalisation of the agreement’s text. The Hungarian government supports the agreement and has empowered the Minister of Construction and Transport, János Lázár (or his designated representative), to finalise the draft, maintaining the commitment.

Agreement finally signed

The process has now concluded, and the two countries have signed the agreement. The new cross-border expressway connection, set to be established in 2025 near Szentgotthárd, will enhance connectivity between the two countries, improve the Central European road network, and boost Hungary’s economic strength.

The M80 expressway, a two-lane road stretching from Körmend to the border, opened in autumn 2021. It bypasses local towns, efficiently directs traffic, and opens up industrial areas until the Austrian side of the expressway is completed, where it currently reconnects with Route 8 before the border.

According to the agreement signed on Tuesday, the S7 Fürstenfeld expressway, expected to reach the border by 2025, will connect with the M80 expressway between Szentgotthárd and Heiligenkreuz im Lafnitztal (Rábakeresztúr).

The government has achieved significant progress in road infrastructure development and improving international connectivity in recent years. In 2010, only three expressways reached Hungary’s borders; soon, there will be eleven, the ÉKM highlighted.

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