Residents in the town of Maglód, Pest County, are upset about a South Korean company’s plan to build an aluminium parts factory nearby, as initial construction has already started with the clearing of a local wooded area. Locals fear that the new facility will worsen traffic congestion on the already crowded Route 31, while town officials and the government look for ways to manage the impact.
A South Korean company is moving forward with the construction of a factory for aluminium parts near Maglód, along Route 31, where initial work began in mid-October with the clearing of a 1.8-hectare forested area, RTL reported. Many residents only became aware of the project when they noticed the sudden removal of trees near their homes, sparking concerns over potential traffic issues on the already busy route.
Local council member Ildikó Papp stated that there has been limited information provided about the scope of the project, although a large section of forest has already been cut down. The new town leader, who took office in October, declined to comment, adding only that the land sale was approved in 2004 by a previous mayor who led Maglód for 22 years.
According to the town council, the factory will span two industrial areas of 6,000 square meters each, and a housing facility for up to 300 employees is also planned. To mitigate the expected traffic increase, the Ministry of Construction and Transport has proposed a 0.5-kilometre tunnel beneath the town. A community forum in mid-November will address residents’ concerns and outline further development plans.
Budapest is taking a firm stance on road safety with the introduction of 26 new fixed speed cameras by 30 October. With this measure, police are reminding people to ease off the gas pedal and prioritise safety on the city’s bustling streets.
26 new fixed speed cameras
As Dívány reports, Budapest has enhanced its road safety measures with 26 new fixed speed cameras, aiming to curb the high number of accidents attributed to speeding drivers. The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) introduced these radar-based, certified cameras to monitor 47 lanes around the clock, delivering clear, high-quality images of vehicles and their number plates regardless of lighting or traffic conditions. This initiative complements existing speed enforcement methods, which include mobile cameras, tripod-mounted devices, and covert police vehicles. By integrating these advanced speed cameras, BRFK hopes to reduce traffic accidents and hold reckless drivers accountable, enhancing safety across Budapest’s roads.
Photo: depositphotos.com
Here is a list of the locations:
Árpád Bridge, Népfürdő turn-off (both directions)
Szentendrei Road in District III at Raktár Street and Monostori Avenue (both directions)
Both sides of Rákóczi Bridge
Buda side of Petőfi Bridge
Bécsi Road at Zay Street (both directions)
Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road at Alkotmány Street
Üllői Road at Vágóhíd Street and Határ Road
Bocskai Road in District XI at Tass Vezér Street
Main road 6 at Növény Street, at Duna Street (Savoya Park)
the expressway to Ferihegy Airport at the KÖKI Terminal (both directions)
Budaörsi Road in District XI at Rupphegyi Road
Balatoni Road in District XI at the Péterhegyi Street
A recent study by the UK-based Scrap Car Comparison magazine ranked Hungary as one of the scariest places in the world for drivers, placing it 15th on the list with a ‘scare score’ of 6.52 out of 10.
Scariest places for drivers
The study surveyed 2,000 motorists from 10 different countries—including the UK, USA, and Germany—who were asked to rate how nervous they would feel driving in 49 of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Hungary, alongside Turkey, Greece, and Italy, was highlighted as one of the European nations where overseas drivers feel the most uneasy, Greek Reporter wrote based on Scrap Car Comparison.
Driving in Hungary: What makes it intimidating?
Photo: depositphotos.com/photos
Hungary’s high ranking reflects a variety of challenges that drivers, especially tourists, face. The country’s infrastructure includes a mix of modern highways and more rural roads, where potholes and uneven surfaces can increase the risk of accidents. Additionally, traffic congestion in cities like Budapest, coupled with aggressive driving styles, often makes driving an intimidating experience for foreigners.
Much like its European counterparts Greece and Italy, Hungary is known for its narrow, winding streets, especially in historic areas, which can be difficult to navigate. Tourists who are unfamiliar with local driving norms or road layouts may find themselves particularly nervous in these conditions.
Global driving hazards
While Hungary made it to the top 15, the global ranking was topped by India, which received a ‘scare score’ of 7.15. Countries from Africa and Asia, including Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, also ranked among the top five most nerve-wracking places to drive.
Interestingly, the UK and the USA, both known for their complex road systems, ranked lower on the list at 26th and 33rd, respectively. The Netherlands, with its well-maintained roads, scored the lowest on the ‘scare scale,’ making it the country where tourists feel most comfortable driving.
Despite the challenges, Hungary remains a popular destination for tourists, but those planning to drive through the country should be prepared for the unique challenges the roads may present.
The Ministry of Construction and Transport has pledged to introduce a new Highway Code by 31 March 2025, which will be presented by the Hungarian government. For several months, experts from the Ministry and the Hungarian Institute of Transport Science and Logistics, alongside various external specialists, have been collaborating on drafting the legislation. Five dedicated working groups are focused on incorporating the feedback and suggestions received so far into the updated traffic regulations.
According to Vezess.hu, the Ministry’s representatives will periodically brief the press on the planned reforms. So far, they have outlined the key principles of the new Highway Code, proposed updates to the process for obtaining a driving licence, and introduced initiatives aimed at motorcyclists and pedestrians. Recently, they unveiled specific proposals addressing a wide range of everyday concerns for road users, from honking to parking. Dániel Zách, an automotive journalist, told ATV that many of the new traffic rules are already being observed in practice but are not yet enshrined in law. He highlighted the “zipper principle,” which helps maintain smoother traffic flow when the right lane is closed, as an example.
Source: Pixabay
Key changes
Lane and parking changes
The new Highway Code introduces a concept known as the “protection lane”, designed to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists. This new rule allows vehicles to pass in the centre of the lane, rather than staying strictly to the right. Additionally, the term “waiting” has been replaced by “parking”, and changes have been made to the terminology around stopping lanes to prevent misunderstandings. The draft legislation also proposes a new sticker system to indicate the driving abilities of older drivers.
Speed limit changes
There are significant adjustments to speed limits under the new Highway Code. The current motorway limit of 130 km/h will remain, though certain stretches may see this increased to 140 km/h in the future. Outside built-up areas, a new speed limit of 90 km/h is proposed for buses, trucks, and trailers. Another key proposal is the introduction of a mandatory two-second gap between vehicles on motorways, aimed at improving safety.
Changes in signalling and lighting
New rules have been outlined for the use of indicators, requiring drivers to signal at least two seconds before making a manoeuvre. The use of horns will be restricted to accident situations, while emergency whistles will also be permitted to prevent accidents. Additionally, there will be stricter regulations on seatbelt use for children, with greater responsibility placed on drivers. Under the new rules, children under the age of three must be accompanied by an adult when travelling by bus.
Source: Pixabay
When will these changes take effect?
It is expected that the final version of the new Highway Code will take at least another year to be completed. The aim is to have the proposed legislation finalised by the end of March 2025. However, there will be a lengthy transition period before the New Highway Code comes into effect, which is likely to take between six and twelve months. As a result, the earliest penalties under the updated regulations are not expected until late 2025 or early 2026.
Temporary traffic restrictions will be in place from 20 to 23 October in several districts of Budapest (I., II., V., IX., XI., and XII.) due to events and public gatherings marking the anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, according to the Budapest Police Headquarters.
Traffic restrictions in Budapest due to 23 October events
Starting on Sunday, 20 October, restrictions will begin in preparation for the commemorative events. Parking will be prohibited from Sunday evening around Bem József Square and along Műegyetem Quay. By Monday evening, additional no-parking zones will extend to parts of districts I, II, and XI, with further restrictions rolling out from Tuesday evening, police.hu reports.
The most significant road closures—both full and partial—will take effect on Tuesday and will be especially extensive on Wednesday, 23 October, affecting several key areas in districts I, II, XI, and XII due to large-scale events.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will deliver a speech at Millenáris Park on 23 October, with the official ceremony starting at 10:30 AM. At 3 PM, the Tisza Party will host a gathering at the Bem Statue, followed by a procession to Széna Square, where the event will continue at 4:30 PM, Pénzcentrum writes. Other political events and commemorations are also expected throughout the day.
The Budapest Police urge drivers to be extra cautious and follow the revised traffic rules during this period.
To view the map below, open it in full display mode, move and zoom to the desired detail, then click on the road section or area highlighted in colour. For the duration of the restriction and further information on the section concerned, see the legend. Unfortunately, it is only available in Hungarian, but the markings in colour will hint at some of the most important restrictions.
For the next two weeks, motorists using the M0 motorway, the ring road around Budapest should expect lane closures due to warranty road surface and expansion joint repairs. The works will affect the stretch leading toward the M1 motorway, particularly on the Deák Ferenc Hárosi Duna Bridge, according to a statement from Magyar Közút Nonprofit Plc.
M0 motorway to see lane closures for 2 weeks
Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays, as the road is heavily trafficked, and longer travel times are likely during this period, Portfolio reports.
In addition to the repairs on the Deák Ferenc Bridge, further maintenance work is ongoing on other parts of the M0 motorway. On the section leading toward the M5 motorway, between kilometres 1 and 3 before the M7 junction, lane closures are in place due to a malfunction in the expansion joint structure, which may cause significant daytime traffic congestion.
Photo: MTI/Kovács Tamás
Repairs are also being carried out in the eastern sector of the M0 motorway, between Vecsés and Gyál. Here, on the side heading toward the M5 motorway, the outer and emergency lanes are closed, with traffic moving on the inner lanes of both directions. Meanwhile, in the direction of the M3 motorway, only the outer and emergency lanes are available.
Magyar Közút encourages motorists, especially during peak hours, to check the latest traffic updates on their official Útinform website before setting out. Navigation apps or community-based driving tools can also help drivers find the best routes and avoid delays.
A large-scale military demonstration and oath-taking ceremony will take place in Budapest this weekend, causing temporary road closures from Friday night into Saturday morning.
Heavy military vehicles and convoys transporting armoured fighting units will roll through Budapest as part of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ event, the Ministry of Defence announced, according to Economx.
To mark this special occasion, several military vehicles will arrive at the Zrínyi Miklós Barracks, located at the National University of Public Service’s Faculty of Military Science and Officer Training (NKE HHK) in Budapest. Among the vehicles on display will be Gidrán multi-purpose armoured vehicles, Leopard A7HU and Leopard 2 ARV 3HU tanks, PZH-2000 self-propelled artilleries, as well as Lynx KF41, HMMWV, and Polaris combat vehicles. These units will arrive from bases in Tata, Szolnok, and Hódmezővásárhely, with part of the convoy transported into Budapest.
Expect road closures in Budapest
The convoy, approaching from the M0 motorway and the main road 3, will be escorted by military police from 11:00 PM on Friday to 1:00 AM on Saturday, travelling along Hungária Boulevard towards Hős Street. A short closure of up to 30 minutes will occur in both directions of Hős Street to allow the vehicles to unload and enter the barracks through the Zách Street gate.
Similar closures are expected in Hős Street on Saturday night, between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, when the vehicles begin their return journey.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution along the affected routes during these times.
Drivers and public transport users should brace for significant disruptions in Budapest this weekend due to two major events: the 39th SPAR Budapest Marathon and the UEFA Nations League football match between Hungary and the Netherlands at Puskás Arena.
The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has issued warnings about extensive road closures and public transport adjustments from Friday to Sunday.
Marathon-related closures
The SPAR Budapest Marathon will lead to restrictions on Saturday near the Buda lower and upper embankments, as well as the Chain Bridge. On Sunday morning and early afternoon, closures will extend along the Danube between the Rákóczi and Árpád Bridges. Starting from 9 AM on Friday, 11 October, Pázmány Péter Promenade in the 11th district will be closed until Sunday. During the races on Saturday and Sunday, from approximately 9 AM to 4 PM, various streets, squares, and bridges will be inaccessible, Economx reports.
Key areas affected include Bem Embankment, Buda Lower Embankment, Műegyetem Embankment, sections of the Pest Lower Embankment, as well as Clark Ádám Square, Fővám Square, and Szent Gellért Square.
Public transport routes will also be adjusted throughout the weekend, with details available on the BKK website and the BudapestGO app. Additionally, the BKK mobile customer service point will be open on Pázmány Péter Promenade from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday for ticket and pass purchases and customer assistance.
Spar Budapest Marathon in 2023. Photo: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
Football match-related closures
Adding to the weekend’s traffic chaos, the Hungary-Netherlands UEFA Nations League football match at Puskás Arena will bring further road closures. The match kicks off at 8:45 PM on Friday, 11 October, but road restrictions around the stadium will begin as early as 6 PM, Economx writes in another article.
Access to the stadium will be from Dózsa György Road and Stefánia Road. Fans are encouraged to use public transport, especially the more frequent services on Metro lines 2 and 4, and tram line 1, as parking options around the arena are very limited.
From 6 PM to 11:30 PM, Dózsa György Road will be closed between Thököly Road and Kerepesi Road, along with Verseny Street and Istvánmezei Road. Additionally, from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM, Stefánia Road will be closed between Thököly Road and Hungária Boulevard, and Ifjúság Road will be inaccessible between Kerepesi and Stefánia Roads.
Public transport changes during the match
Photo: BKK/Facebook
Several bus and trolleybus routes will also be affected:
The 30 bus will detour via Thököly Road and Dózsa György Road, bypassing the Verseny Street stop.
Trolleybus lines 75 and 75A will run to Keleti Station instead of Puskás Ferenc Stadium and Kőbánya alsó Station, bypassing stops between Ötvenhatosok Square and Kőbánya alsó.
The 77 trolleybus will run along Hungária Boulevard instead of Stefánia Road, with stops near Puskás Arena relocated to Hungária Boulevard.
Buses 95, 130, and 195 will not stop at their usual terminus near Puskás Arena and Kerepesi Road.
Due to resurfacing works, drivers should expect new lane closures on the Hungarian motorway M0 between the M3 motorway and the Megyeri Bridge, starting the evening of Friday, 11 October 2024. The works, set to continue until 18 October 2024, will be marked by advance warning signs. Travellers in the area should prepare for speed limits and longer travel times due to the restrictions.
Key Hungarian motorway M0 sees lane closures
During the next phase of the M0 motorway resurfacing project, from Friday evening, 11 October, until Sunday evening, 13 October, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in the direction of the M5 motorway over the M3 section of the M0 motorway. From Sunday evening, 13 October, until the following Friday evening, 18 October, traffic heading towards the Megyeri Bridge will also be reduced to one lane near the M2 motorway junction, Pénzcentrum reports.
Additionally, between Monday evening, 14 October, and Thursday evening, 17 October, the outer lane will be closed on the M0 motorway heading toward the M5 motorway, just before the Dunakeszi South junction (exit 73). Importantly, these lane closures will not affect the on-ramps or exits on the M0 motorway.
Drivers are advised to check the latest traffic updates related to the works and restrictions before setting out. Information is available from the Hungarian Public Roads Company’s Útinformservice, and using navigation or traffic apps can help drivers find the best routes during the disruptions.
Dávid Vitézy, a politician who works with the LMP-Greens in the Budapest assembly, has convened an extraordinary meeting of the transport, urban development committee for Monday over the planned cuts to suburban railway HEV’s services.
The proposed cuts at the lines connecting Budapest with the souhern suburbia in Gödöllő, Csepel and Ráckeve would result in a 20-30 percent drop in their overall capacity, Vitézy said in a post on Facebook on Wednesday.
H7 suburban railway line to Csepel, district 21. Photo: FB/MÁV-HÉV Ltd
He said that he had invited the mayor of Budapest, the leaders of the construction and transport ministry, the Budapest public transport centre (BKK) and state railway MÁV, the mayors of affected districts and civil organisations representing passengers to attend the meeting.
Vitézy cited his letter sent to BKK and MÁV, in which he pointed out that the city “has run out of operational HÉV carriages which is not a surprise since the oldest of them are aged 58-61.”
He said that the government (namely, János Lázár, Hungry’s construction and transport minister) had put a halt to the purchase of public transport vehicles, adding that it was the transport ministry and “central bureaucracy to be blamed for the collapse of the maintenance and spare parts supply system.”
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The car-free weekend in Budapest was postponed due to the historic flood following the raging of Cyclone Boris in Central Europe. The new date is 5 and 6 October, which means lots of traffic restrictions for drivers in the downtown. Furthermore, due to the disarmament of a WWII explosive, half of South Pest will also be closed to public transport and cars. Be careful on the roads!
Budapest traffic in the downtown will be challenging this weekend
According to Telex, the car-free weekend in Budapest will start today and last until tomorrow since it had to be postponed due to the Danube flood. As a result, the Szabadság Bridge, the Vámház Promenade until Lónyay Street and the Pest lower embankment between the Margaret Bridge and the Közraktár Street will be closed to car traffic.
In addition, trams nr 47, 48, and 49 will not commute this weekend. You may use trams 61 or 56A instead of them. BKKalso recommends the use of M4 metro line, bus lines 7 and 133E, metro line M3 and bus lines 9 and 15 this weekend.
Tram nr 47 will not commute this weekend. Photo: depositphotos.com
BKK welcomes guests with numerous open-air programmes in connection to the European Mobility Week and the car-free weekend. For example, there will be a Food Truck Show until 10 PM on Saturday and 8 PM on Sunday. You can try some historic trams in front of Budapest’s Great Market Hall. Below, you may find a map showing the program venues. Unfortunately, it is in Hungarian, just like the detailed programme, which you can check out HERE.
Photo: bkk.hu
WWII bomb disarmament paralyses traffic in South Pest, changes train traffic to Vienna
Authorities found a WWII bomb near the Southern railway bridge in Budapest, close to the Hungarian National Theatre. Experts decided to disarm it on Saturday afternoon, which seriously affects traffic since police will close the area and evacuate all residents. Moreover, you will not be able to use the Rákóczi Bridge, some bus lines commuting on Soroksári Street, and suburban railway line H6, Világgazdaság wrote.
The Southern Connecting Railway Bridge will be closed for traffic. Photo: www.facebook.com/vitezydavid
Furthermore, trains will not commute on that line between noon and 4 PM. As a result, trains via Győr to Vienna or Pécs will begin the journey from Kelenföld station in Buda. The same goes for passenger trains G43 and S36. The suburban railway line will carry passengers between Ráckeve and Kén Street between 10 AM and 4 PM. The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) recommends that passengers access Kelenföld railway station with the M4 metro line. BKK will accept valid train tickets between 10 AM and 5 PM on metro line M3 between Kőbánya-Kispest and Kálvin Square stations on metro line M4 and tram line 1 between Népliget and Kelenföld stations.
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Resurfacing work begins on one of Budapest’s busiest access roads.The M0-M7 junction from the M5 motorway to the M7-Balaton direction will be opened on Tuesday, 1 October 2024, according to a statement by Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt.
The reconstruction of the junction will be carried out in several phases, with the introduction of lane closures, Magyar Közút says. The works are expected to be completed by 15 October 2024, and the restrictions will be signposted. Speed restrictions and increased journey times are expected in the area.
During the first phase of the works, from Tuesday to Sunday, 1 to 6 October 2024, the inner lane of the M0 motorway M5 will be closed on the M7-Balaton section of the M0 motorway from the M5 motorway to the M7-Balaton, so traffic will be limited to one lane on the connecting section.
From Monday, 7 October 2024, until 15 October 2024, the outer lane of the M5 motorway will be closed in the M7-Balaton direction, so traffic will still be limited to one lane on part of the slip road. On the M7 motorway towards Balaton, the M7 motorway will be closed due to construction works on the slip road. During the works, access from the M0 motorway to the M7 motorway will be guaranteed at all times.
Road users are advised to check the current traffic situation related to the restriction and the work on the M7 motorway before departure at the Magyar Közút Nonprofit Zrt. Útinform service at www.utinform.hu, but it is also worth using navigation and community car apps to plan their optimal route.
As we wrote earlier, expect long traffic delays on the other Hungarian motorway as two-week construction begins. Details are HERE.
Concrete repair work is set to begin on the M31 motorway heading towards Gödöllő, just before the M31-M3 junction. The project, announced by Hungarian Public Roads Nonprofit Plc. (Magyar Közút), will see traffic disruptions lasting for approximately two weeks, with diversions being put in place starting today.
From Monday until the completion of the repairs, expected by 15 October, the deceleration lane leading from the M31 to the M3 motorway will be closed, and traffic will be reduced to a single lane, Portfolio reports.
Despite the lane closure, access to the M3 and the exit towards Gödöllő will remain open, according to Magyar Közút.
Drivers are advised to expect speed limits and longer travel times on the M31 during the construction period, the announcement added.
The trains on Budapest’s M2 metro line have drastically slowed down, switching to manual control, according to the Urban and Suburban Transport Association (Városi és Elővárosi Közlekedési Egyesület, VEKE). The organisation reports that the timeline for repairing the issue remains highly uncertain.
M2 metro moves at a snail’s pace
Many commuters noticed that the M2 metro was unusually slow today, moving at a snail’s pace between Örs vezér Square and Deák Ferenc Square, VEKE shared on its official social media page. The trains are creeping along between these stations, though the system is functioning as usual between Deák Ferenc Square and Déli railway station.
VEKE explained that the problem stems from a failure in the Siemens-manufactured safety system, which is quite costly. Even the backup system, known as the redundant system, has failed between Örs vezér Square and Blaha Lujza Square. As a result, the metro has switched to station-distance operations with manual driving and radio communication. To assist in manual control, the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) has called in all available traffic controllers.
Repair time uncertain
VEKE further notes that BKV staff have been unable to fix the system, and Siemens experts are not working over the weekend. BKV did not request 24/7 on-call service from Siemens, meaning the repair timeline is uncertain. According to the transport association, this poses a particular challenge because such issues can only be resolved during weekends when passenger numbers and transport capacity are lower.
So far, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has not posted any updates on its website or Facebook page and has not released an official statement to confirm VEKE’s information.
There is no danger on M2 metro line
VEKE emphasised that there is no need for concern regarding safety: “No one is in any danger. Public transport is still operating, albeit with restrictions, as the service is functioning at a reduced capacity to prioritise safety. However, this is an approved and practised mode of operation, which exists because failures like this can happen.”
UPDATE: BKV’s reaction
It is not true that the safety device of metro line 2 “went out”, nor is it true that BKV ran the trains in steps on Saturday, the transport company told Economxas a reaction to the Facebook post of VEKE. They added that the Siemens train control system of metro line 2 was repaired on Saturday night.
“Previously, there was a communication failure between the individual system components, which we were able to repair during a shutdown. The Siemens staff also helped in the repair, as we have a good professional cooperation with the manufacturer,” BKV said in a statement sent to the news portal.
Contrary to VEKE’s claim, the signalling control did not “go down”, it works without any fault and was working on Saturday, the transport company added. There was no safety risk to passenger operations even with the failure, but delays could occur. The mode of operation used fully complied with all safety and regulatory requirements and aspects, and of course did not run trains “at a snail’s pace”, they wrote.
Budapest tram line nr 2, one the world’s most spectacular public transport lines, has become fully operational again since today dawn. Almost all restrictions have been abolished this week after the peaking of the Danube flood, but some popular Budapest parks will remain closed to the public until next week.
Budapest tram line nr 2 is back in service on the entire line
According to index.hu, trams 2, 2B and 23 commute again on their entire line, since authorities could pump the floodwater from the tunnels yesterday. Consequently, tram nr 2 carries passengers again between the Jászai Mari Square and the Közvágóhíd suburban railway (HÉV) stations. Tram line 2B operates again between Jászai Mari Square and Pesterzsébet, Pacsirtatelep, while you can use tram nr 23 between Jászai Mari Square and the Keleti railway station.
Earlier this week, authorities reopened the M2 metro station of Batthyány Square, suburban railway H5 begins its journey to Szentendre from Batthyány Square, and the Danube embankments were reopened yesterday. Moreover, bikers can use the lanes near the River Danube on the Buda sides, including the underpasses at Clark Ádám Square and the Margaret Bridge.
As Mayor Gergely Karácsony wrote before, the reopenings were preceded by thorough cleaning since the floodwater carried bacteria potentially causing life-threatening diseases like diarrhoea and sepsis.
Driftwood cleaning in Budapest. Photo: FB/Karácsony
Some restrictions concerning popular parks remain in effect
However, some traffic restrictions remain in effect. For example, trams 4 and 6 will not stop at Margaret Island station. Furthermore, buses nr 26 and 226 will not commute because the island is closed to traffic. Buses 34 and 934 will not touch several stations on Emőd Street, Királyok Street and Pünkösdfürdő Street, BKK wrote.
The Margaret Island, the Hajógyári Island, and the Népsziget, all north of the Margaret Bridge, will remain closed to passengers and pedestrians, as well. MOL Bubi public bikes cannot be used at Margaret Island, Hajós Alfréd Swimming Pool, Palatinus Beach, and the Music Fountain stations. Of course, Palatinus Beach also remains closed.
PHOTOS: No more sandbags needed on Margaret Island but the place remains closed to the public this week:
Margaret Island, Budapest. Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
According to infostart.hu, Margaret Island, Óbuda Island and Római Beach will reopen to the public next week. The reason is that the ground is too wet and there is a risk that some trees out of the more than 7,000 (weighing 10-20-30 tonnes each) may come down. Therefore, we have to wait until it dries out completely. According to meteorologists, strong winds are expected in the next few days when the canopies of the trees act like sails.
Margaret Island, a green oasis in the downtown. Photo: Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sándor Bardóczi, the Chief Landscape Architect of Budapest, said no trees have come down yet on Margaret Island, but that is not true for Római Beach, so we should be careful. Authorities will not open the beach and the Óbuda Island to the public until the ground gets dry enough. Mr Bardóczi said the islands might reopen next week, but the experts of Főkert will decide on the issue.
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Good news for drivers: Danube embankments reopenedin Budapest – PHOTOS
The Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Plc. (Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt., MKIF) is operating 1,237 kilometres of motorway in Hungary. They announced the development of the two busiest motorways in Hungary, the M1 connecting Budapest with Austria and the M7 connecting the Hungarian capital with Lake Balaton and Croatia. The renewed motorways will have 3+1X3+1 lanes in several segments, instead of the current 2X2. Hopefully, there will be fewer traffic jams towards Austria and Croatia after the extension.
Motorways will be renewed in Hungary
According to index.hu, the company will operate and extend 1,237 kilometres of Hungarian motorway until 2057. The MKIFis in the ownership of a consortium of private equity funds belonging to László Szíjj and Lőrinc Mészáros, two well-known Hungarian government-close businessmen. Antal Rogán, the Head of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, said the contract with the MKIF can be extended with the M5 and M6 motorways.
The MKIF started to operate most of the Hungarian motorways from 1 September 2022. Until 2034, they undertook the obligation to build 279 kilometres of high-speed road and 299 kilometres of motorway. Before that, they have to bring the motorway pavements to a uniform level, which means the renovation of 538 kilometres. The deadline for this project is 31 August 2025. In 2023, they finished 3.6 million sqm, and in 2024, they completed 3.9 million sqm, 20% of the total highway pavement. Moreover, they will renew 200 bridges and overpasses.
Photo: FB/NÚSZ
Developments will start in 2025
In the next few years, MKIF plans to extend the M1, M7 and M3 motorways. The M1 will be extended between the M0 ringroad and the Austrian-Hungarian border. The M7 will be extended between the M0 and Balatonvilágos, while the M3 between Budapest’s Szentmihályi Street and Gyöngyös.
The extension of the M1 will start in 2025, the M7 in 2027, and the M3 in 2031. The third lane between the M0 and Concó will be ready in three years. The MKIF will build intelligent hard shoulders (ITS), which will open for drivers only if traffic is heavy. As a result, in peak hours, vehicles will be able to use four lanes to Austria and back to Győr. Between Győr and Hegyeshalom, the 2X2 lanes will remain, with an additional ITS.
Photo: FB/NÚSZ
The details of the extensions
The M7 motorway will have four lanes (3+1) until Szabadbattyán, and between Szabadbattyán and Balatonvilágos, there will be 2+1 lanes. Work will start in 2027. The construction of M200, connecting Komárom and Székesfehérvár, will also begin three years later.
The M3 will have 3+1 lanes until Gyöngyös, but the project will only start in 2031.
In Polgárdi, Hungary’s most modern asphalt mixing plant is under construction. The test period will start in October. The plant aims to help the operation and extension of the M7 motorway.
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The embankments on both sides of the Danube in Budapest have been re-opened to traffic, Gergely Karácsony, the city’s mayor, said on Thursday, declaring that “we have taken our city back from the flood.”
On the weekend, the Pest side of the embankment will reopen to pedestrians and cyclists, Karácsonysaid on Facebook.
No more closure on the Budapest Danube embankments. Photo: MTI
Margaret Island remains closed to traffic for the time being, he said, explaining that municipal park manager FOKERT will be inspecting the trees there because the soil has loosened.
Photo: MTI
In another Facebook post, Karácsony wrotethat the employees of the BKK are cleaning the tunnel of tram nr 2-2B-23. In the afternoon, they will conduct the static inspection, while at night they will reestablish the overhead lines and the signalling apparatus. Based on the plans, the service on the line will restart on Friday at dawn.
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The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) published a statement on how ordinary traffic would resume in Budapest after the flood was over and the Danube receded.
Normal traffic again
According to their announcement, more and more BKK lines will return to normal schedules as the water level of the Danube decreases. From Wednesday dawn, suburban railway line H5 (Budapest-Szentendre) is back in service on the entire line. That means you may get on the trains at Battyány Square, which authorities closed last week due to the rising water level. The metro station reopenedon Monday.
Photo: BKK/FB
Passengers travelling from Szentendre can change to metro line M2 at the Battyány Square station. Moreover, BKK will reopen the bike lane between the Margaret Bridge and the Batthyány Square. Therefore, bikers can ride near the River Danube again.
One of the world’s most beautiful tram lines may reopen this week
From 26 September, after finishing the necessary cleaning work, BKK will open the lower embankments on both sides of the capital. Drivers will be able to occupy those roads on Thursday morning. BKKhighlighted that all reopenings are preceded by thorough inspection and cleaning because the floodwater left a huge amount of waste and bacteria that may cause dangerous, even lethal diseases.
Photo: MTI
Photo: MTI
The lower embankment of Buda is already dry. Photo: FB/BKK
Authorities are still pumping water in a segment of tram line nr 2, regularly chosen among the world’s most beautiful lines. However, experts believe they can reopen the entire line to the public on Friday or Saturday. Currently, trams only commute between the Jászai Mari Square and the Hungarian Parliament, a 15-minute-long segment even by foot.
Tram 2, Budapest. Photo: Facebook, BKK
UPDATE: Mayor Karácsony: 150 people work on cleaning Budapest
According to a recent Facebook post by Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, 150 people are cleaning Budapest with 33 machines. They cleared 20 tonnes of driftwood and mud from the roads only yesterday. He wrote they would use the wood collected to generate energy. The dried sand of the more than 520 thousand sandbags will be used in construction.
A huge driftwood:
He added that the BKV would start to clean the boats and piers from today.
The employees of Főkert will check the Római Beach, the Óbuda and Margaret Islands. One of their main concerns will be the examination of the trees. Authorities will reopen these spaces only when they can guarantee the maximum safety possible. He said 80% of the plants on the wharves survived the flood.
Photo: FB/Karácsony
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