construction

It won’t be cheap to cross the World’s Longest Footbridge – details are out

suspension bridge, bridge of national unity Sátoraljaújhely

The 700-metre-long suspension bridge is unique in its category. It connects two points in the northern Hungarian city of Sátoraljaújhely, Vár-hegy and Szár-hegy, at a height of 80 metres, offering a splendid view of the Zemplén Mountains and the surrounding forests. Despite its appeal, the cost of crossing the bridge may not be worth it for some.

The construction of the bridge cost approximately EUR 10 million and was designed as a tourist attraction. Six steel cables support it at a height of about 80 metres. This technology makes it unique in Hungary, and it is also the longest bridge of its kind in the world. A glass walkway in the middle section enhances the walking experience.

suspension bridge Sátoraljaújhely — Photo: FB/Szamosvölgyi Péter

Crossing the bridge will cost a whopping HUF 5,000 (EUR 13) for a pedestrian. The bridge will be inaugurated on the National Day of Unity on 4 June, as announced by Sátoraljaújhely Adventure Park in a Facebook post.

However, the ceremony will not be open to the public. Most locals will only be able to experience the world-record-length bridge the following day. On the day after the opening, the bridge will be free for locals who present their address cards. Residents of Sátoraljaújhely and Sárospatak can receive a 20 percent discount on ticket prices after 5 July by showing their address cards.

Suspension bridge with a chairlift

According to 24.hu, in addition to the EUR 10 million spent on the bridge, the Adventure Park cost an additional HUF 3 billion (EUR 7.8 million). The project was originally planned with a budget of HUF 2.8 billion (EUR 7.2 million), but initially, no contractor could be found for the construction.

A new chairlift was also built with the funding, requiring over one kilometre of forest to be cleared. During its construction, a similar bridge opened in the Czech Republic. This bridge is 696 metres long and costs HUF 1 billion (EUR 2.5 million) less to build.

In recent years, several similar bridges have been built across Europe. The 665-metre bridge in Germany cost EUR 4.4 million, the 516-metre bridge in Portugal cost EUR 2.3 million and the 494-metre bridge in Switzerland cost EUR 780,000.

Walking along the bridge is a unique experience

Bridge of National Unity, suspension bridge — Photo: FB/ Zemplén Kalandpark Sátoraljaújhely

As we previously reported, the bridge consists of stair grating except for a short but spectacular section in the centre where you can walk on glass. This provides a stunning view of Sátoraljaújhely and the nearby forests and hills. Additionally, you can feel the bridge wobbling underfoot, giving a touch of thrill to the experience.

Even though the facility is unparalleled in Hungary, reactions have been mixed. Some people question the location of the bridge or believe that the construction cost of nearly HUF 5 billion was exorbitantly high.

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World’s longest rope bridge will soon be inaugurated in Hungary – Read here

Walking on Hungary’s record-breaking suspension bridge is an unrivalled experience

May 28, 2024

Stunning 600-year-old Transylvanian castle restored to glory – explore the photo gallery

Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău Transylvanian castle

The renovated castle in Gilău (Gyalu) was inaugurated over the weekend and will now serve as a cultural centre. The Rákóczi-Bánffy castle near Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) was renovated with EU funds and support from the Romanian and Hungarian governments.

History of the Rákóczi-Bánffy Castle in Gyalu/Gilău

The first written record of the castle dates back to 1439. Located 20 km from Cluj-Napoca, the 60-room square castle of Gyalu, with its four corner bastions, was owned by Countess Katinka Bánffy before nationalisation. Until 2002, it was used as an auxiliary school, and the Countess’s grandson, Tamás Barcsay, took possession of it after seven years, before the castle was bought from the Barcsay family by Hungarian businessman Elek Nagy ten years ago. Hundreds of guests were present at the opening ceremony of the Transylvanian castle, which is now in its former splendour.

Renovation

The Romanian state secured EUR 5 million in EU funding for the renovation, but this proved insufficient, so the Hungarian state matched this with a grant of HUF 850 million (EUR 2,2 million).

The cultural centre has multifunctional event halls and plans include furnishing them and renovating the garden and castrum. The castle gardens will also host major events.

Elek Nagy, the founding president of the Transylvanian Traditions Foundation, recalled at the opening ceremony that ten years ago, the castle had almost fallen into disrepair, and he felt it was a mission worthy of his ancestors to save it for the benefit of the wider and narrower community.

Gelu Vasile Topan, mayor of Gilău, expressed his delight that the restored castle would put the village on the tourist map.

As we wrote yesterday, hundreds of thousands of Hungarians celebrated Pentecost in Csíksomlyó in 2024 – PHOTOS

Read also: Building of Hungarian university in Transylvania renovated – Beautiful PHOTOS

May 20, 2024

Good news for Formula 1 fans! Hungaroring renovation already in the finish line

Market Építő Plc. and Bayer Construct are undertaking simultaneous construction and demolition activities at the iconic Hungaroring circuit, currently undergoing renovation. They are working with a tight timeframe as Formula 1’s Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled to commence on 19 July, necessitating the timely completion of site preparations 60 days before the event. Here is the newest update on the construction.

Construction on Hungaroring

As Magyar Építők writes, Market Építő Plc. and Bayer Construct are ensuring timely progress as they complete the first phase of the Hungaroring renovation project’s second stage. A recent update on Market Építő Plc.’s community page confirms the successful construction and insulation of supporting walls, installation of utilities, and expansion of the depot at the event site. As cranes are disassembled and construction materials cleared, the site handover to the sports team preparing for the competition has commenced.

Construction activities at the Hungaroring involve the development of an event space and retaining wall system, with 30-50 thousand cubic meters of soil already moved for the project. Excavated soil is being repurposed for the foundation of a new, expanded depot building. This year’s race will utilise the completed depot, accommodating teams’ buses and trucks. To meet May’s deadline, contractors are working around the clock on pile foundations, with four cranes already removed from the site.

Formula one — F1 Hungaroring. Photo: Facebook/Hungaroring

Under the ground

In this phase of the project at the Hungarian Formula 1 site, two tunnels have been constructed. One tunnel, set to open to the public in 2025, will provide general access, while the other will be reserved for VIP guests and service staff, connecting the paddock to the main concourse. The construction involved cutting through the circuit’s asphalt at the finish line, with ongoing efforts to restore the road surfaces, install kerbstones, and complete irrigation and electricity networks. Future phases aim to minimise the visual impact of construction on the racetrack, with plans to clear remaining materials, restore road surfaces, and finalise basement-level asphalt for the depot.

After the Formula 1 race

The renovation works at the Hungarian Formula 1 site will be interrupted two times between 2023 and 2026. That is because races will be held on the track in 2024 and 2025 as well. Following this year’s race, the next phase of construction is set to begin in just over a week. During this stage, contractors will embark on several key tasks, including the demolition and reconstruction of the main arena, the overhaul of the event area, and the complete demolition of the paddock and main racecourse building. Subsequently, the newly constructed building will be handed over for immediate use.

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May 14, 2024

Final countdown: New Danube bridge to be passable soon!

At the end of January, the watercourse closure on the new Danube bridge was completed, and the connection between the Paks and Kalocsa banks was established. The construction of the Danube bridge between Kalocsa and Paks has now passed the test loads. For the two-day operation on Saturday, the contractor Duna Aszfalt Ltd. mobilised 20 40-tonne trucks, which means the bridge was loaded with 800 tonnes. We will soon be able to walk on the 20th Danube bridge!

New Danube bridge to be passable soon

Hungary’s new Danube bridge was tested in spectacular operations over two days. The new crossing between Kalocsa and Paks has already passed the test loads: for the two-day operation, Duna Aszfalt deployed 20 40-tonne trucks, MagyarÉpítők reports.

The slab on the 946.2 m long structure, which has 10 supports, was completed in January, and the traditional barrel-rolling took place in March (according to colas.hu, celebrating the completion of a bridge by rolling a barrel across the deck is a longstanding tradition). The bridge is composed of two floodplain bridges (ártéri híd) and a river bridge (mederhíd). The three parts have different structural systems but form a single unit.

Testing of the new bridge done

The Ministry of Construction and Transport (Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, ÉKM) said that the recently completed project element started on Friday. On this day, the testing of the left and right floodplain bridges was carried out with 8 trucks weighing 40 tonnes each. On Saturday, the static and dynamic tests of the middle bridge element were carried out as part of an all-day project.

According to the ÉKM, the vehicles spent long minutes in numerous formations. During this time, the experts measured the deformations caused by the weight and the stresses in the individual structural elements at predetermined points on the bridge structure. Among other things, the bending of the main girder, the sinking of the supports and the natural frequency of the structure were also investigated.

The dynamic load was a much busier and shorter measurement event than the previous ones, with two trucks crossing the bridge at speeds of 5, 20, 40, and 60 km/h. Check out some impressive photos of the testing HERE!

Opening ceremony and the name of the Danube bridge

The technical handover procedure for the Kalocsa-Paks Danube bridge and the 14.3 km road connected to it will be completed at the end of May, followed shortly after by the opening ceremony.

The bridge will be named after Pál Tomori, a name already agreed to by construction minister János Lázár. Pál Tomori (c. 1475 – Mohács, 29 August 1526), general, Archbishop of Kalocsa, one of the chief commanders of the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohács. He took the archbishop’s post because his two brides had died. It was with great difficulty that he accepted the title of commander-in-chief of the Hungarian army, encouraged by Pope Clement VII.

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May 11, 2024

Orbán government continues program reshaping Hungary’s property sector

Spontaneous euroisation Budapest rent prices property market prices exceeded property in hungary renting in Hungary rental

The government is expanding VAT cuts until the end of 2026, the finance minister said on Facebook on Saturday.

VAT will remain 5 percent on newly built apartments smaller than 150sqm and houses smaller than 300sqm, in a move that will support families and the construction sector, Mihály Varga said.

Homes purchased after 2026 will be eligible for the same discount up until 2030 if their building permits had been obtained by 2026, he added. The step is expected to leave 200 billion forints (EUR 513.3m) with taxpayers, he said.

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May 4, 2024

Mesmerising PHOTOS: Buda Royal Palace renovation in spectacular phase, entire walls being rebuilt

In the framework of the National Hauszmann Programme, the Northern wing of the Buda Royal Palace is set to undergo renovation. Based on the visuals, it promises to be quite remarkable, likely becoming a favourite hotspot among tourists visiting Budapest. Sadly, only one original segment of the wall remains, but the good news is that it will be preserved.

The Communist-era renovation was deemed unsatisfactory

According to the programme’s official Facebook page, the Southern connecting passageway of the palace was renewed and inaugurated on 20 August 2021. Consequently, attention has shifted to commencing the renovation of the Northern wing.

Initially, the roof containing asbestos, the mansard roof, the crown moulding and the inner roof structure were removed. Subsequently, the Northern, Western and Southern facades were dismantled, facilitating the reconstruction of the palace’s original walls.

Beforehand, experts determined that these three wall segments were constructed solely during the Communist-era renovation. Few are aware that Budapest endured the second most intensive siege during WWII, resulting in extensive damage to its buildings, particularly those in the Castle District, where German and Hungarian forces resisted until the penultimate day.

Buda Royal Palace regains its original glory

Since Soviet forces occupied Hungary, democracy had little chance, and by 1947, the Communist Party assumed control of the country. However, insufficient funds hindered the restoration of the damaged Buda Castle, leading to a cost-effective rebuilding process.

Consequently, efforts to restore the Buda Royal Palace’s original splendour were minimal, as it was repurposed as a museum of the Hungarian and international labour movement. Ornately decorated spaces were not aligned with this concept; instead, a minimalist approach was adopted. This is what the National Hauszmann Programme aims to rectify, as reported by Helló Magyar.

According to experts, the Eastern wall segment remains the sole original part of the Northern wing. Plans include reinforcing it with a special steel structure to preserve it during the reconstruction of other sections.

Buda Royal Palace’s original parts will be rebuilt, preserved

The National Hauszmann Programme adheres to the original designs of Lajos Hauszmann, the architect of the Buda Royal Palace, while incorporating modern technological advancements.

As per their Facebook post, the original Northern main entrance gate will be reinstated. Additionally, the Hungária sculpture above it will be reconstructed. Consequently, visitors will be able to stroll beneath the Northern wing between the Hunyadi Garden and Szent György Square. A ramp will be installed in the Hunyadi Garden, while the Munkácsy Hall and the entrance hall will be restored to their original grandeur.

Here are two visuals of how astonishing the Buda Royal Palace will look upon completion:

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May 4, 2024

Orbán-ally oligarchs made EUR 38 billion in state motorway concession

M7-es_autópálya-highway motorway concession

The Hungarian government’s outsourcing of a large part of the highway network cost taxpayers HUF 15-17 thousand billion, equal to around EUR 38.4 billion. The motorway concession was awarded to a consortium of private equity funds owned by László Szíjj and Lőrinc Mészáros, two well-known government-close Hungarian businessmen.

The motorway concession contract, obtained by Szabad Európa after more than a year of litigation with the National Concession Office (NKOI), reveals the owners of the private equity funds and the amount to which the concession company will be entitled – information that was previously unknown.

The winning consortium of the tender set up in 2021 consists of seven private equity funds, with László Szíjjj and Lőrinc Mészáros as owners of four and three of them, respectively. Both men are closely linked to the government and Viktor Orbán himself.

We wrote about Mészáros and his relationship with Orbán HERE.

In addition to the owners, the finances were also revealed

The contract now obtained also reveals that the government’s 35-year motorway concession of a large part of Hungary’s highway network costs Hungarian taxpayers even more than previously estimated.

Before Szabad Európa’s winning litigation, it was Transparency International that received, also after a lengthy court procedure, the calculations that the government had prepared before the concession. The documents made public by the anti-corruption NGO revealed that a total of 12,600 billion forints (32.2 billion euros) of taxpayers’ money would go to the winning firm.

In the original contract with the winning concession company, the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Ltd (MKIF), the state agreed to concede the management of 1,666 kilometres of road. There is also a possibility of an additional 381 kilometres of motorway going to MKIF, with the company operating the M5 and M6 highways until 2056. Including these sections in the concession, the government’s background calculation estimated the cost at HUF 13,700 billion (EUR 35.5 billion).

However, according to the documents obtained by Szabad Európa, the contract set considerably higher prices: the actual cost of the concession is a total of HUF 15 thousand billion (EUR 38.4 billion), which could reach 17 thousand billion forints (44.2 billion euros) when including the possible additional sectors.

The HUF 15,000 billion price consists of two items: HUF 8,580 billion for construction and HUF 6,492 billion for operation and renovation. As for the HUF 17,000 billion in the case of the extended network, HUF 9,222 billion would be spent on construction, and HUF 8,067 billion on the operation of the highways.

However, these amounts are subject to change, as the contract provides that the fees paid by the state may be indexed based on the inflation target of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB).

The motorway concession raises questions about possible corruption

Overall, the government intends to spend a total of HUF 8.5 thousand billion (EUR 21.7 billion) or HUF 9.2 thousand billion (EUR 23.5 billion), respectively, on new investments. As MKIF itself decides which contractor to use and how much to pay them, one of the concerning features of the concession scheme is that there is no necessity for a public procurement procedure in connection with these new projects.

As the motorway concession was granted to the interests of two of Hungary’s largest contractors, they have the right to use their own companies for development. Indeed, the funds had already declared at the time of the tender that they intended to hire subcontractors.

The biggest construction businesses in Hungary, which are known to win public tenders fairly easily, include Duna Aszfalt Plc., Hódút Ltd., Közgép Plt., and Mészáros és Mészáros Ltd. They are all, either directly or indirectly, owned by Lőrinc Mészáros and László Szíjjj.

The motorway concession raised troubles in the European Union, as well. On 24 April, the European Commission began infringement procedures against Hungary for violating the regulations on motorway concession contracts, after Transparency International filed a complaint.

The Commission has noted a number of issues with the motorway concession agreements regarding the motorways. It contends that Hungary violated EU legislation by awarding a 35-year concession that was not transparent concerning its projected contract value. Besides, Hungary failed to adequately transfer operational risk, and therefore, it was granted for an excessively lengthy period.

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May 3, 2024

Most expensive Danube bridge to be built by one of the richest Hungarians – VISUALS

The proposed new Danube bridge at Mohács is slated to be a monumental investment, marking one of the largest infrastructure projects to date. Recently, the assessment of tenders received for the associated public procurement procedure has been made public. Here are all the details you need to know about the new one-of-a-kind bridge and the person behind its construction.

The person behind the cheapest tender

Telex reports that the contract was awarded to the cheapest tenderer, Duna Aszfalt, which submitted a tender of HUF 294.96 billion (EUR 750.36 million). Duna Aszfalt, the road construction company of László Szíjj, is consistently successful in public procurement. However, the signing of the contract is still pending, as the moratorium must first end.

According to the 2023 list of the richest Hungarians, Szíjj is the sixth wealthiest in the country. His assets are estimated to be roughly HUF 280 billion (EUR 712 million). He is also the proud owner of the luxury yacht Lady MRD. Big names, such as Lőrinc Mészáros and FM Péter Szijjártó, have also previously visited the swanky yacht.

Why such a hefty price tag?

You may think that HUF 280 billion (EUR 712 million) is too much to spend on a new Danube bridge. However, according to Világgazdaság, the project is not solely about the construction of the bridge itself. Building a road network connected to the bridge is also on the agenda and included in the tender.

A much-anticipated Danube bridge

The long-debated construction of a bridge over the Danube at Mohács recently garnered a renewed commitment from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, despite economic headwinds. The primary objective of this new Danube bridge is to bolster local transportation and seamlessly integrate Mohács into the national road network by linking Road 51 with the M6 motorway. This infrastructure is also crucial for enhancing connectivity between regional industrial centres. Currently, residents rely on a ferry, which often proves problematic.

The proposed new Danube bridge at Mohács not only promises to enhance local transportation but also serves as a crucial artery for freight traffic from southern and southeastern neighbouring countries, diverting significant truck flows from the Baja Bridge, located 30 km to the north. Alongside the new bridge over the Danube, there are plans for related road network enhancements and port development, potentially transforming Mohács into a major logistics hub.

most expensive bridge over the Danube Mohács — Source: Facebook / Dr. Hargitai János

When can we use the bridge?

The construction of the new Danube bridge at Mohács is scheduled to take 50 months, aiming for completion by summer 2028, with the bridge structure potentially finished by 2026. This timing coincides with the “Mohács 500” programme, marking the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács.

The commemoration will feature extensive cultural investments, a new Danube bridge, a motorway extension and a new museum. This event is planned as a significant remembrance, contrasting with the subdued 400th anniversary due to the Treaty of Trianon repercussions post-World War I. You can watch the visual plan HERE.

bridge over the Danube Mohács — Source: specialterv.hu

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April 29, 2024

World’s longest rope bridge will soon be inaugurated in Hungary – photos

The inauguration of the world’s longest rope bridge is a matter of great anticipation. Now, new pictures have been taken, showing the bridge of National Unity.

Near Sátoraljaújhely, the 700-metre-long rope bridge will connect Szár Hill and Vár Hill, held aloft by six steel cables. This landmark structure will put Hungary in the Guinness World Records.

A few kilometres from the Slovakian border in eastern Hungary, the bridge that weighs hundreds of tonnes is being built as a tourist attraction. It will undoubtedly be a challenge for tourists who are afraid of heights to cross the bridge, but it is reassuring that the bridge will be so stable that it will not swing out of place even in high winds. According to VG, the centre of the bridge will be covered with large glass panels, increasing the sense of space.

Unexpectedly, the Czechs have also entered the ‘competition’, having built a 721-meter-long cable-stayed bridge in Dolni Morava, which exceeds the size of the Hungarian bridge. However, the Czech architects have included the fixed, double-sided ground walkway in the length of the bridge, so the Hungarian cable-stayed bridge will end up being longer.

Surprise Twist: Budapest-Belgrade railway set to finish ahead of schedule!

Budapest-Belgrade railway Hungary trains delay

There were rumours of a potential delay in the renovation of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line. However, recent developments suggest that, barring any unforeseen issues, the construction of the Hungarian segment of the railway, including the comprehensive overhaul of line 150, is on track to be completed soon.

This progress indicates that the travel time between the capitals of Serbia and Hungary could potentially be reduced to just 2 hours and 40 minutes. The Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line is now scheduled for completion on a newly announced date.

According to Világgazdaság, this update comes from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who shared this information during an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) at the end of February. CGTN, a relatively young Chinese state television network established just over seven years ago on the 31st of December 2016, serves as a platform for Vucic to provide specific insights into the progress of the Budapest-Belgrade railway construction.

Estimated completion date for the Budapest-Belgrade railway line

Aleksandar Vucic emphasised the strong bond between China and Serbia, portraying China as a close friend to Serbia with a history of positive relations between their peoples. Vucic highlighted the recent free trade agreement signed in October, which he believes will significantly expand the market for Serbian agricultural goods and wine, while also facilitating the import of Chinese products at competitive prices.

Vucic pointed out that the top three export partners of Serbia are Chinese companies, with ongoing negotiations for further investments in Serbia’s economy, particularly in infrastructure projects where Chinese firms play a pivotal role.

This discussion seamlessly transitioned to the topic of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, illustrating its strategic significance in the broader context of economic cooperation. Vucic confirmed Serbia’s commitment to finishing the construction of the over 180-kilometre Belgrade-Szabadka railway line by the end of 2024.

Additionally, he expressed confidence in Hungary’s progress, stating that he trusts their Hungarian counterparts to complete the Hungarian section by the end of 2025 or possibly by February-March 2026. This timeline aims to establish crucial connectivity between Belgrade, Budapest and Vienna.

This updated timeline marks a significant advancement compared to the previously expected completion date, which was anticipated to be around six months later.

The importance of the Budapest-Belgrade railway

The renovation of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line would significantly reduce travel time between the Serbian and Hungarian capitals to 2 hours and 40 minutes. Long-distance trains within Hungary are expected to see a one-hour reduction in travel time between Budapest and Kelebia, while suburban passengers can anticipate up to a 20-minute decrease in journey time to Kunszentmiklós-Tass.

Additionally, plans are underway to shorten the Budapest-Vienna train journey to just 2 hours by 2025-2026, making it possible to travel from Belgrade to Vienna in less than 5 hours via a fixed route. The Budapest-Belgrade railway project involves extensive upgrades, including doubling the track to 152 kilometres and renovating a total of 339 kilometres.

These enhancements will allow for an increased authorised speed of 160 km/h, improved passenger access to platforms, construction of new station buildings and pedestrian underpasses, installation of new lifts and modernised passenger information system and implementation of safety equipment such as platform surveillance cameras.

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April 2, 2024

Massive Vienna-Budapest motorway expansion project starts soon

The M1 motorway is significant in Hungary, as it is a critical transportation route in the country, serving as a lifeline for both domestic and international travel and commerce. The motorway connecting Budapest and Vienna will be part of a major expansion project that starts soon. Here is everything you need to know about the scheme.

Roadworks across the country

As Világgazdaság reports, the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Ltd. started a 10-year project to improve the motorway network in Hungary. The Chief Executive Officer, Tamás Németh, says that they will carry out at least as much work as in 2023 when the project kicked off. One of the most striking features of this construction will be the new asphalt. It has been around 30 years since there has been such a major overhaul of the national motorways. So far, 3.6 million square metres of old, damaged pavement have been replaced with new asphalt. That is approximately 19% of the total road segment that is planned to be renewed.

The starting date of the renovation

The construction will restart after the long weekend, after the 15th of March national holiday. According to Németh, most of the M1 is finished, but small parts have remained untouched so far. The biggest upgrades will be on the M3 and the M7. In addition, there will be smaller roadworks on M30, M35, M70 and M15 as well.

Németh has also promised to publish detailed daily breakdowns of the renovations, thus drivers can plan ahead and know what to expect on the roads. However, due to weather conditions, there will be times unfit for carrying out any roadwork.

The expansion of the M1 motorway

While the roadworks mentioned above only include renovation such as the new asphalt layer, there will be constructions as well, such as the expansion of the M1 motorway. The extension of M1 will begin next year. Officially, the company is obligated to start by autumn 2025. However, they are planning to start around mid-May. The machines used for the roadwork will start arriving in the summer.

It will be a dramatic expansion, with three lanes twice, plus a so-called ITS (intelligent hard shoulder), which will be open when traffic conditions justify it. Thus, vehicles will be able to drive in up to four lanes. The first phase of the extension itself will stretch from the M0 to almost Győr. Németh promises that the two-lane carriageway will be maintained on both sides throughout the extension.

The timetable for the extension

The major construction project will take about ten years. According to the plans, the company will complete the first phase of the M1 in four years, by 2029. However, they will start working on other projects at the same time. The work on the M7 will start as early as 2027. The company plans to complete the extension to three lanes twice with ITS lanes up to Szabadbattyán. The last part of the extension will be carried out on the M3 to Gyöngyös. This construction will start in 2031 and is expected to finish in 2034.

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March 11, 2024

New Danube bridge almost ready: guaranteed to operate for 100 years

The watercourse closure on the new Danube bridge was completed: the connection between the Paks and Kalocsa banks was established. The final structural framework has also been completed. The bridge will serve as a crossing over the river for at least 100 years after it is officially opened.

Built by Duna Aszfalt Plc., the construction project of the new Danube bridge in the Paks and Kalocsa region has reached an important moment. On 26 January, the last deck slab of the nearly one-kilometre-long bridge was cast, according to a report sent to Magyar Építők.

Once opened, the bridge will serve as a crossing over the river for at least 100 years.

However, the work is far from finished. The fitting-out of the bridge is now starting: the coating systems protecting the structures are being applied, the railings and stormwater drainage systems are being installed, and the bridge monitoring system is being set up.

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According to the schedule, the technical handover of the bridge will take place at the end of spring. Afterwards, the crossing will be opened to traffic.

Photos of the new milestone are available HERE.

January 27, 2024

Budapest Airport taking off: transatlantic flights, terminal 3 and more!

In a recent interview Kam Jandu, the CEO of Budapest Airport talked about the airgate’s plans and projections based on previous year’s data. The future is looking bright for Budapest Airport!

To put it shortly, the airport ended 2023 with flying colors, even surpassing the projections they had made beforehand. Passenger numbers exceeded 14.7 million, reaching 91% of pre-pandemic levels. The cargo volume was above 200,000 tons, indicating a 50% growth compared to 2019. The airport anticipates nearly 17 million passengers this year and 18.5 million for 2025. However, the airport is nearing its limit of capacity, which is why infrastructural expansion is crucial. Here’s what we found out about the future plans regarding the expansion.

Transatlantic flights

Kam Jandu, CEO of Budapest Airport, has talked about the current capacity of the airport and projections based on the numbers of 2023. He highlighted that as of now, a significant portion of incoming traffic is from various European cities as well as Asian regions. He said the airport is experiencing a constant traffic from Seoul, Dubai and Doha, since these popular routes have only shut down for a few months during the COVID pandemic.

There are planned flights to other Asian regions too. Especially with Hungary’s current business plans, China plays a prominent role in future ideas. Another important planned route he highlighted was a direct flight to India, where the significant market demand would justify connection. He also mentioned the expansion of direct flights to the Arab Peninsula, where Saudi Arabia has ambitious tourism plans for the coming years.

One of the main questions in this regard was the reconnection of Budapest and North America to which Kam Jandu commented the hardships that the global airline supply chain faces. He added that this severly slows the reopening of several transatlantic air channels. He hopes that the recovery in air connections will soon be true to the North American flights too.

Third Terminal

In another segment of the interview with airportal.hu, Kam Jandu talked about the foreseeable infrastructural expansion of the airport. He said the airport is already nearing its capacity and based on the current numbers, it will most likely exceed the limit by 2025. There are already plans for the construction of a Terminal 3, which would be twice as big as Terminal 2. However, construction would take around 6 long years which the airport just doesn’t have. This is why they plan to reopen Terminal 1 to provide the extra capacity, until Terminal 3 can open. The modernisation of Terminal 1 and the addition of the planned new pier could be completed in about two years, but the permitting process has slowed down construction.

The situation is made harder by the current negotiations around the airport. It slows the process, which is hardly ideal. Once Terminal 2 reaches its maximum capacity, they will have to artificially stop traffic, since otherwise the provided service quality would greatly degrade. This outcome should be avoided, especially considering the detrimental effects it would have on the country’s economy, Kam Jandu says.

Coming developments

Apart from the major long term projects, there are some “smaller'” scale expansions planned for the airport as well. The airport plans to achieve a net zero carbon emission accreditation by 2035. Since 1 January 2023, the company sources electricity exclusively from renewable sources for both its operations and airport partners.

There are plans to make significant strides towards the net zero goal in 2024. A more environment friendly waste management and the implementation of a geothermal power plant are also on the agenda. What is more, this year, they are planning the construction of a solar farm. The expansion of e-charging stations and the gradual transition into a fully electric vehicle fleet is already in progress.

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January 27, 2024

VIDEO: Large railway construction project reaches new phase in Hungary

The next phase of the development of the Southern Circular Railway, a major railway construction project in Hungary, started on Monday, 15 January, the Ministry of Construction and Transport (Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, ÉKM) said in a statement. The aim is to upgrade the railway from two to three, and even four tracks.

The railway line between Ferencváros and Kelenföld stations in Budapest will be renewed and extended, a new Danube bridge has been built, and three new stations will be built, called Nádorkert, Közvágóhíd and Népliget, Magyar Építők reports.

On 15 January, the next phase of the Southern Circular Railway development started, according to a statement by the Ministry of Construction and Transport. The project aims to rebuild the railway line by extending it from two to three tracks, sometimes four. The works come after the project received its third environmental permit on 24 November 2023.

What is the importance of the Southern Circular Railway?

Southern Railway Ring Budapest — Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

The aim of the development is to increase the number of suburban trains running between the agglomeration and Budapest, as well as to make the railway competitive and play a greater role in Budapest’s transport system through new stops and connections. In addition, the line section will also be a key element of the Budapest-Hegyeshalom-Rajka railway line (which is the most important line of the country), and is therefore also of major international importance.

“The project has the potential to increase freight traffic capacity to and through Budapest, while enhancing passenger transport options, including improving transport between Kelenföld and Ferencváros, and providing better connections to metro and HÉV lines, while respecting the interests of the public,” ÉKM said in a recent statement.

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The project in numbers

The project involves the construction of 600 metres of 4 tracks on the Pest side, 1800 metres of 3 tracks on the Buda side and a further 1700 metres of 4 tracks. In addition, three new stations will be built: Közvágóhíd and Népliget in Pest, and Nádorkert in Buda. What is more, a special noise barrier will be built over a length of approximately 1500 metres.

In Pest, two railway bridges will be built and renovated, while in Buda, five will be built and renovated. The interventions will involve widening the existing two-track structures to three or four tracks, with the construction of new superstructures.

How positive is the development project?

máv railway line no 1 — Railway line no. 1. Source: mavcsoport.hu

However, as Átlátszó wrote back in October 2023, the reception of the new project was not all too positive. On the one hand, hundreds of trees will have to be felled along the line, and “the track widening would take place directly next to residential houses in one stretch, while there could also be land expropriations in the countryside”. On the other hand, while the official reason for the extension is to increase the number of passenger trains, the reality includes a “shocking increase of freight traffic”. According to Átlátszó, the Budapest-Belgrade line will serve freight traffic from China.

January 25, 2024

Good news for motorists! Another road section to be opened in Hungary soon

The final section of the M6 motorway is currently undergoing a trial operation and the technical handover procedure, bringing joy to the entire region upon its completion.

On behalf of the Ministry of Construction and Transport, a consortium of STRABAG Építő Llc and Duna Aszfalt Plc is the contractor for the 20 km long section. The road section between Boly and Ivánvárda was built as part of the HUF 88.6 billion (EUR 230,174,259) net investment.

It has been a long-standing plan to extend the Hungarian M6 motorway to the Hungarian border. The construction of the traffic engineering works started in early autumn 2023, and now another important milestone has been reached. The trial operation and the technical handover procedure are already underway.

Gábor Boldizsár, head of construction at Duna Aszfalt Plc, told Magyar Építők that a number of special and difficult tasks had to be solved. One of the latter was a wildlife crossing with a unique arch and size.

AI high tech smart prison to be built in Hungary

Hungary is constructing a new prison in Csenger and it will have some unexpected new features.

The current plans for the prison were foreshadowed in a recent press conference by Bence Rétvári, Hungary’s current Secretary of State. The confrence was held at the National Command of the Prison Service (BVOP) on Friday and revealed some surprising technological upgrades.

Investing in a safer future

According to Economx, Central Europe’s most advanced prison is being built in Csenger. This aligns well with the fact that Hungary is one of the top twenty safest countries, as stated by Bence Rétvári. He underlined that since 2010, there was a growth of five thousand inmates and a drastic decrease in the number of crimes, with an annual 280 thousand crimes less. He added that this is most likely because the new penal law code is one of the strictest in Europe.

This means more criminals sentenced to longer prison terms, hence the need for greater capacity. Several other prisons have already gone through an expansion, but the Csenger prison puts Hungary to another level of penalty enforcement.

The prison is said to have a capacity of 1500 and will have a fully operational video analysis and location determining system. The Secretary of State added that such prisons are not a new invention, since this level of technology has been implemented for prison use since 2018 worldwide. In Hungary too, they have been experimenting for the last few years with digital elements inside the prison. So far they have mostly used it for communication with relatives, the easier handling of interrogations and paperwork.

Real life science fiction

In the Csenger prison, however, there will be technology allowing for complete control of the inmates’ movements, and artificial intelligence will analyse their behavior and facial expressions. If their behaviour shifts from their usual routine, the system will send a signal to the supervisors. This way, they can prepare for an unusual event in case something out of the ordinary happens. The prison doors will operate without keys, using only a facial recognition system. To ensure the maximal employment of inmates, there will be a 2000-squaremeter workshop.

Additionally, each cell will have a “computer technology device,” allowing the convicted to manage their affairs through a closed online channel. This way they can access up-to-date information about their data, finances, the processing of their requests, or their work schedule. “The goal is paperless operation, and there will be digital administration as much as possible,” added the professional project manager.

The State Secretary also outlined the future of digital penal execution, adding that this will make detention even safer, minimising the possibility of escapes.

On the other side of the bars

Bence Rétvári also emphasised that the choice of location is deliberate. The Csenger prison is placed in the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county region, where it will create approximately seven hundred jobs. He said the recruitment of prison guards has already begun.

To this information, the professional project manager provided additional details. He reported that more than 1500 resumes have been received by the recruiters so far, out of which 196 applicants were already accepted. There is a 14-week training interval, where they welcome and train the newcomers for their job.

Currently, there are 172 applicants undergoing training, getting ready for their new job. In addition to the salary, future members of the professional staff may receive cafeteria benefits, clothing allowance, performance bonuses, rental contributions, and other allowances. Those participating in the training will be entitled to full pay from the first day of education.

The scheduled date for the opening of the Csenger prison is 30 September.

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January 16, 2024

Historic moment: the 20th Danube bridge in Hungary comes together

The two banks of Hungary’s 20th Danube bridge have joined, making life easier for the people of Paks on one side and Kalocsa on the other.

Construction on this monumental project began in February 2021, and it is anticipated to be completed by the summer of 2024. Spanning an impressive 946 metres, the bridge will be accompanied by an extensive road network and will cost a total of HUF 92 billion (EUR 242,302,187).

Once completed, this new bridge will significantly reduce travel time, shortening the bypass by approximately 70 kilometres. Commuters traveling between Kalocsa, Paks, and the M6 motorway will be able to make the journey in less than 15 minutes.

“The historic moment we have been waiting for has finally arrived,” Géza Filvig, the mayor of Kalocsa, announced the joining of the two sides of the Kalocsa-Paks Danube bridge on his social media page.

The progress made by the contractors has been exceptional, as the bridge was previously expected to remain closed until February. In a video message, Mayor Filvig expressed that this bridge will enable the residents of Kalocsa to reach the M6 motorway within minutes. “This is a huge opportunity for the people of Kalocsa,” he added.

We previously reported on this ambitious bridge project and shared a stunning video showcasing the construction progress. Building of new Danube bridge reaches milestone – Spectacular VIDEO

In other news, plans are underway for Budapest’s newest multifunctional centre, set to be situated above Puskás Ferenc Stadion Metro Station – PHOTOS. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.

January 15, 2024

Construction sector in Hungary hits new low – latest figures

Output of Hungary’s construction sector dropped by an annual 12.8 percent in November, albeit from a high base, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Monday.

According to KSH, output of the buildings segment fell by 18.3 percent and civil engineering output slipped by 3.5 percent.

In absolute terms, construction sector output reached 747 billion forints (EUR 2bn) in November. The buildings segment accounted for 58 percent of the total.

In a month-on-month comparison, construction sector output fell by 2.6 percent, adjusted for seasonal and workday effects.

Order stock was 21.2 percent lower at the end of November than twelve months earlier. Buildings segment orders were down by 15.6 percent and civil engineering orders dropped by 25.3 percent.

New orders jumped 60.3 percent during the period. New orders in the buildings segment slipped 19.5 percent but new civil engineering orders climbed 186 percent.

Construction sector output fell by 5.3 percent in January-November from the base period.