The longest transit route in Hungary: Latest advancements in the M9 motorway project

The M9 motorway, the largest of its kind in Hungary, has recently gained momentum. Once finished, this 300-kilometre-long highway will connect Debrecen with Kőszeg. Recent updates shed light on the challenges the construction of the M9 motorway is facing.

Világgazdaság’s report from early March indicates that negotiations for the southern link to the freight border crossing are proceeding according to schedule. Earlier, Gábor Baranyai, a government politician and Member of Parliament for Kiskunhalas and its region, provided an update on social media regarding discussions about the M9 motorway.

Baranyai mentioned negotiations concerning the southern link of the M9 up to the freight border crossing with the Ministry of Construction and Transport and the mayor of Tompa, László Véh. The discussions also covered topics such as the road’s route, the intersection of the new border crossing and its connection to the state border.

Smooth preparations for construction

Preparations for the construction of the M9 motorway are progressing smoothly, as reported by László Véh at the end of February. Véh shared on social media that Gábor Bányai and officials from the Ministry of Construction and Transport visited potential sites for the Tompa junction of the M9 and the new freight terminal. They are currently working on a study design expected to be completed by August with a goal to secure environmental permits by September next year, according to Világgazdaság.

Magyar Építők has reported that preparations are underway for constructing the M9 motorway from Bácska to the border, along with a new border crossing for freight traffic. Roden Ltd. and Főmterv Plc. have been tasked with designing a 7-kilometre dual carriageway and the new border crossing.

According to a recent EU report, these companies were selected as the best bidders for the project. Their responsibilities include outlining the road’s route as a continuation of the M9 southern link, obtaining environmental permits and completing the study design.

The working part of M9 as of now (indicated with blue colour) Source: Wikimedia Commons / MrSilesian

Understanding the M9 motorway

The M9 motorway, a long-planned project in Hungary, aims to span approximately 300 kilometres upon completion, becoming the longest transit route in the country. It is envisioned as the “ring road of the countryside,” connecting various cities and regions, such as Debrecen, Békéscsaba, Szeged, Pécs, Kaposvár, Nagykanizsa, Zalaegerszeg, Körmeny, Szombathely and Kőszeg with its final route still under discussion, as part of the radial motorway network.

In late October of the previous year, Magyar Építők announced that 20 kilometres of the motorway had been completed, with only two kilometres having a single lane. Despite this progress, construction work is set to continue, with a public tender initiated for the design of three additional sections of the M9 motorway.

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