Official: Hungary approves construction of brand-new M8 expressway, dubbed the ‘rural M0’
János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Transportation, has announced that all necessary permits are now in place for the long-awaited construction of the M8 expressway between Dunaújváros and Kecskemét. The project aims to ease traffic pressure on Budapest from the south by effectively serving as a rural counterpart to the M0 ring road. It is considered one of the government’s most important infrastructure initiatives, with the full section expected to be completed by 2031.
Environmental approvals granted, disputes resolved
The minister shared these developments during his first interactive video forum, Lázár Live, held on 25 July: an event that received around a thousand questions and comments from the public, according to Magyar Nemzet. According to Lázár, all environmental approvals for the project have been issued, and earlier debates over the route have been resolved. Construction will be carried out by a concession company, which has received all the necessary documentation.
The M8: A new backbone of national transit
The M8 will not only relieve congestion in Budapest but is also part of a broader transportation strategy. Plans call for the expressway to stretch from Kecskemét to Sárbogárd, from where it will continue as the M200 to Komárom, connecting with the M1 motorway, Világgazdaság reports. This will create a direct corridor between Romania and Austria, effectively bypassing the capital and functioning as a southern bypass route.
This latest development builds on previous work: the section between Dunaújváros and Dunavecse, as well as the Pentele Bridge connecting to the M6 at the Dunaújváros M8 junction, has already been completed. The new route will integrate seamlessly with the existing infrastructure and complement the M44 expansion, whose Romanian branch is expected to further strengthen cross-border connectivity.
Other announcements: Baja bypass and new road code
Other projects were also discussed during the Lázár Live session. The minister confirmed that plans for a southern bypass in Baja are currently being drafted, with an estimated cost of HUF 23 billion (EUR 57.8 million). The government is expected to decide on funding this fall, with construction potentially beginning within the current term.
Lázár also announced that a new traffic code (KRESZ) is slated to take effect on 1 September 2026. This will replace the current regulations, in place since 1975, following a comprehensive review. So far, the ministry has coordinated with 70 organisations and plans to hold a public consultation on the matter.
A new era in Hungarian transportation
The construction of the M8 expressway marks more than just a logistical achievement: it could fundamentally reshape Hungary’s transportation landscape. By alleviating pressure on the capital, improving access to rural areas, and strengthening east–west transit links, the project may play a pivotal role in boosting regional economic development. If successfully completed, it could represent a major leap forward for the entire country.
Read more transport-related news on Daily News Hungary.
Read also:
- Traffic chaos expected: Major closures on Budapest’s M0 motorway
- Austrian town imposes big change on the road, impacting commuters from Hungary
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