PHOTOS: Futuristic Danube Bridge to be built in Hungary
Even though Budapest’s southern districts could well use a new overpass to ease the intensifying burden of daily traffic, the government eventually decided to build that near Mohács, South Hungary. According to János Lázár, Hungary’s construction and investment minister, the bridge will be completed by the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács. That clash marked the end of the Medieval Hungarian Kingdom and the beginning of a 150-year-long Ottoman rule spread over more than a third of the country.
According to index.hu, the need for a new bridge on that segment of the River Danube became apparent years ago. László Palkovics, Hungary’s innovation and technology minister, already talked about building a new overpass near Mohács in the autumn of 2020. The project was then believed to start within 1.5-2 years. However, it did not kick off as the planning phase took longer than expected. The final plans were accepted only this January.
According to our information, the costs will exceed HUF 100 billion (EUR 267 million). Rumour has it the minister was about to abort the project. However, Lázár finally gave the green light this week. But there is one more hitch. The government aims to cover the costs with EU funds, but Hungary has not received a penny yet.
Even Orbán supported the new bridge project
PM Viktor Orbán talked about the bridge in his February State of the Nation speech, during which he mentioned the need for the unification of Pannonia and Hunnia, the eastern and western parts. Part of that would be building a new bridge over the Danube near Mohács.
Gábor Pávkovics, the mayor of Mohács, said there was a chance to finish the construction by the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács in 2026. Based on the Világgazdaság, the new bridge has been on the agenda for 30 years because currently, you can only cross the river by ferry. Thus, the new overpass could connect some of the most important southern regions and cities of Hungary.
According to the plans, the bridge will be 750 metres long. Its area will be 18,000 m2 and will have 2X2 lanes. There will be also a bike lane added as part of the EuroVelo system.