From today, traffic in Budapest is upside down: here’s what to know before you hit the road
There will be closures for two weeks due to the Sziget Festival, but it will be harder to get around the capital from Monday onwards on several busy routes, with two weeks of renovations starting. Here is the latest news on traffic in Budapest.
Sziget will disrupt traffic in the area
According to the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), restrictions are expected on several sections between 2 and 15 August and during the Sziget Festival.
Due to the event, the northern section of the Buda Lower Quay will be closed between Mozaik Street and the shopping centre car park. Óbuda Island was closed earlier. The 226 bus will run on a shortened route between Nyugati railway station and Aquincum.
Between 5 and 13 August, there will be a temporary closure daily from 13:00 until 3:00 a.m. on the Buda Lower Quay between Mozaik Street and Margaret Bridge, as well as in Mozaik Street. On Szentendrei Road, you should be prepared for much heavier traffic than usual in the afternoon and evening.
Pest, lower quay closure
The lower quay of Pest was already closed on weekdays between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge and on weekends between the Margaret Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge to allow pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
Lane closures
The Buda side of the Margaret Bridge will be affected by a lane closure. Roadworks on this already busy stretch of road have been timed to start on 5 August. The road manager advises motorists to use alternative routes.
Following the asphalt milling work, the pavement will be renewed in two layers over an area of around 1200 square meters between the Buda end of Margaret Bridge and Török Street, in the direction of Széll Kálmán Square. The 291 bus stop will also be rebuilt with a reinforced structure, raised curb, and platform paving.
The road will be closed in two phases: from Monday, the side lane will be closed from the Buda bridgehead to Török Street, while the middle lane will also be closed between the Frankel Leó Street junction and Török Street.
Hungária körút, overpass renovation
Until the end of August, congestion is expected on Hungária körút due to the renovation of the flyover. Next week, the sealing, pavement, and dilatation repair work will enter a new phase, but two lanes will be closed until Tuesday morning, 6 August, Budapest Közút said in a statement.
The outer lane will be opened to traffic toward the M3 motorway entrance, but the inner and middle lanes will be closed. Traffic will still be allowed to pass on the tram lane.
Pedestrians will still be able to cross the flyover using tram 1. By bicycle, the route from Vágány Street – Dózsa György Road – Állatkerti körút to Városliget is from Róbert Károly körút.
More information here: Key Budapest bridge to see renovation, traffic restrictions planned
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