PHOTOS: Repairs, demolition scaffolding on one of the busiest and most specatular overpasses in Budapest

It has been about two months since the southern bridge at Flórián Square was closed on March 1, and work on the overpass and its surroundings has been progressing according to schedule. 

In accordance with the plans, the contractor continues to focus primarily on demolition and scaffolding work and has also begun repairing the substructures. The suspended scaffolding protecting the public road and tram tracks has already been completed. Due to traffic restrictions, BKK continues to ask travelers to use public transportation whenever possible during the renovation period, thereby reducing traffic in the area. At the same time, it advises motorists to avoid Flórián Square and use alternative routes to reach their destinations.

The renovation of the southern overpass at Flórián Square is progressing steadily and according to the preliminary schedule. Since the bridge was closed on March 1, the contractor’s experts have been primarily engaged in demolition and scaffolding work:

• taking advantage of the favorable spring weather, they have begun demolition and scaffolding work in the areas affected by the retaining wall sections, and
• they have completed the suspended protective scaffolding over the public road and tram tracks, which is now completely closed, so that nothing can fall onto the road or tracks during the renovation.

Meanwhile, the experts have started repair work on the substructure of the southern overpass:

• preservation work is being carried out on the head beams of the individual supports;
• loose, easily detachable concrete parts of the reinforced concrete surfaces are being removed;
• the remaining concrete surfaces are being repaired and reinforced with shotcrete to ensure the durability of the structure.

Experts have identified defects in the track slab

During the milling work carried out at the start of the renovation in March, defects in the reinforced concrete track slab became visible. Its condition, the depth and extent of the damage were also examined by the designers and engineers working on the renovation, and any salt contamination was measured with instruments.

The experts prepared a detailed assessment of the condition of the existing track slab, which will be used to determine exactly what repairs are needed and how they may affect the construction schedule. The aim is to select the safest and most appropriate technical solution to ensure that these overpasses, which play a significant role in the transport of the capital and its agglomeration, can continue to be used safely for decades to come.

Renovation of the more than 40-year-old overpasses has become inevitable

The Flórián Square overpasses were last renovated in 2002–2003. Their technical condition has deteriorated significantly since their last modernization: they have been damaged by dirt and moisture, the structure is waterlogged around the pillars, causing the reinforcing steel to rust and the concrete surfaces to deteriorate.

The dirt and moisture have mainly affected the bridge at the thermal expansion (dilatation) joints, around the pillars and along the edges of the roadway.

During the project, the experts will

• replace the road surface;
• repair the reinforced concrete slabs;
• renovate the insulation across the entire width, eliminating the cause of water seepage above the pillars;
• build new reinforced concrete curbs, on which new, safer guardrails will be installed;
• install new expansion joints and toe walls at both ends of the bridges;
• repairing defects in the drainage system, the stone cladding of the bridge heads and the concrete surfaces of the pillars, head beams and retaining walls, while
• paying special attention to the integrity of the archaeological finds.

As the investor and the capital’s transport organizer, BKK is doing everything in its power to serve the needs of travelers as best as possible during the renovation, which is expected to last until spring 2026, while also ensuring that the necessary space is available for the work to be carried out.

BKK provides extensive information

BKK has provided detailed information about road, public, and bicycle traffic in previous announcements. Before departure and while traveling, it is advisable to use the BudapestGO travel planner, as the BKK app continuously updates the latest travel information.
You can find out about the renovation and the related closures and diversions on the continuously updated florianter.hu website, and BKK Info shares the latest information every day.

Read also:

• More than 500 km upgraded: Greatest motorway upgrade in Hungary’s history resumes
• Huge traffic changes coming to Budapest: Flórián Square flyover renovation kicks off! – details in THIS article