Traffic will return to Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge soon
According to the mayor of Budapest, the revamp of Hungary’s emblematic Chain Bridge follows the timeline. That is unique in Hungary, considering the frequent delays multiple construction and reconstruction projects tackle. Therefore, traffic may return to the iconic Budapest overpass popular among all foreign tourists soon.
Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, said in a Facebook post this morning that buses, taxis and cyclists could return to the bridge in mid-December. That is because the revamp project of the bridge follows the original timeline and budget as well.
He wrote that last week’s bridge load testing was successful and the first milestone of the revamp project, the renewal of the overpass’s roadway would be completed in a week. Therefore, they decided to give the bridge back to traffic before Christmas.
Read alsoVIDEO, PHOTOS: bridge load testing on Budapest’s emblematic Chain Bridge
Karácsony said that the Chain Bridge is a symbol of the city’s unity and its civic development. He also suggested that the history of its building and financing may be exemplary even today since wealthy Hungarians put together the money and created an iconic national treasure. He added they would like the new Chain Bridge to be a gift to Budapest on the 150th anniversary of the city’s foundation. That was celebrated yesterday since the day of the unification was 17th November 1873.
Karácsony said they had not yet decided about the future of the Chain Bridge. Before, the iconic overpass of Budapest often saw traffic jams, so it is not clear whether private cars should be enabled to use it again. Many NGOs would not want that, so they turned to the municipal council, Karácsony admitted.
Karácsony said they would give the bridge back to public transport, taxis and cyclists in December. The next phase of the renovation will be the revamp of pedestrian sections. Based on the plans, people will get back their beloved overpass in autumn 2023.
Read alsoPHOTOS: The iconic limestone lions of the Budapest’s Chain Bridge are back!
Until then, the municipal council will increase the number of buses on the bridge (16, 105 and 178). Furthermore, they will initiate a new line to use the Chain Bridge when there are no traffic jams.
He cleared that the municipal council would decide about the traffic pattern of the bridge in summer 2023. Before, they will ask the residents of Budapest about their opinion on the issue.
Source: facebook.com/karacsonygergely