Major delays expected on the busiest Hungarian motorway to Austria as expansion works begin

Significant delays are expected on the M1 Hungarian motorway linking Budapest to Austria from Monday as construction begins to widen the road to six lanes. The project, covering the stretch between Budapest and Győr, is set to last several years. Authorities have pledged to keep traffic flowing during the works, but the state rail company MÁV has urged motorists to prepare for congestion and extended travel times, while boosting its own capacity in response.

Expect longer journey times and traffic jams on the busiest Hungarian motorway

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday, the MÁV group said the project will lead to substantial restrictions on the M1 Hungarian motorway from Monday. The company warned of traffic jams and slower journeys, advising commuters to consider rail alternatives.

Rather than doubling, MÁV will triple capacity on its busiest lines, notably the S10 service to Győr and the S12 to Oroszlány, by operating multiple FLIRT electric trains. Two morning express services will be run with double-decker KISS trains, while the Savaria and Scarbantia InterCity routes will operate with additional carriages.

MÁV said buses would be on standby to support train services and, if required, those operated by Volán. Passenger flows will be closely monitored, with standby buses deployed or express train stopping patterns modified where necessary, it added.

• How much will motorway tolls increase, and who will benefit from major discounts? – find out more

Comprehensive overhaul: what exactly is happening?

The M1, the busiest Hungarian motorway, will be widened to six lanes along a 78-kilometre stretch between the M0 junction and the Concó rest area at kilometre 94. Intelligent emergency lanes will be built on both sides, designed to be opened during accidents, roadworks or heavy congestion. This will allow up to four lanes of traffic in each direction between Budapest and Győr.

• The section between the M0 Hungarian motorway junction and Bicske is due for completion by 31 August 2028, while the stretch to the Concó rest area is scheduled for 31 August 2029.
• Expansion between the Concó rest area and Hegyeshalom, at the Austrian border, is also planned but at a later stage.
• Construction will be managed so that two lanes in each direction remain open at all times.
• Eleven existing Hungarian motorway junctions will be upgraded, and four new grade-separated interchanges will be built.
• About 300 new lorry parking spaces will be added, along with improvements to family-friendly facilities at service areas.
• Six major rest areas will be entirely rebuilt, with others enlarged and modernised.

How to stay informed about the current closures

A dedicated, regularly updated webpage has been launched to provide real-time information on closures and diversions. The site is available in Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Polish, Turkish, Bulgarian, English, German and Russian.

For more of our articles on travel, click.

An animation has also been released to illustrate how current traffic arrangements will transition to the fully upgraded M1 with diversions and works.

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