Hungary’s longest viaduct to be lifted: motorway section closed for two weeks

The Kőröshegyi viaduct is expected to be completely closed for two weeks from the second of September due to works, MKIF Zrt. told MTI on Monday.

The timing was clearly intended to minimise disruption to traffic, with the work scheduled for after the start of the school summer holidays.

During the track closure, those arriving from Budapest will have to leave the track at the Zamárdi upper/Siófok west junction and return at Balatonszárszó. Drivers coming from the border should leave the track at Balatonszárszó junction and return at Zamárdi felső/Siófok west.

According to the MKIF, annual bridge inspections, biannual bridge inspections, and spring test lifts have revealed that three of the 38 spans of Hungary’s longest valley bridge are heavily worn. Replacement of these will begin in September, a process that requires great precision and can only be carried out on a bridge closed to traffic. During the work, the bridge structure must be lifted a few centimeters away from the piers, effectively lifting the bridge out of its place.

It is also noted that the replacement of the spans is planned, and the bridge is safe and in good condition.

At the same time as the spans are replaced, the anti-corrosion coatings of the expansion joints will be renewed in the entire cross-section (4 places), in addition to the deck.

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