VIDEO: Surface transport of Budapest to be completely restructured

The next cycle will see a major renewal of the transport network in Budapest. This will be achieved with EU funding. Among others, a study plan presenting the transport alternatives for the redevelopment of the Népliget junction is ready. On top of that, the fate of the Nyugati Square flyover is also sealed.

Revitalised boulevards are needed instead of downtown motorways

The capital’s leadership is committed to replacing the current downtown “motorways” with “revitalised boulevards” in Budapest, Index reports. This is exactly why Váci Street, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street and Üllői Street will be renovated, the Mayor announced in Budapest on Friday.

Gergely Karácsony, Mayor of Budapest, said that the renovation of metro line M3, which will be completed in May, will be followed by the renewal of surface transport. The aim is to maintain the transport relevance of the roads that currently function as “urban motorways”, while “bringing life back” to the streets by creating quality living space, he said.

The mayor said that the developments would be implemented with EU funding until 2030. It would stretch over several phases. A budget of HUF 200 billion (EUR 519 million) is available for this in the next EU cycle. As part of the development, new pedestrian crossings will be built on the roads concerned. This is because, as Mr Karácsony said, “you can’t exile people to the underpasses”.

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Unnecessary bus lanes to be converted into cycle lanes in Budapest

The bus lanes created for the metro replacement will no longer be necessary after the completion of metro line M3. They will therefore be converted into cycle lanes where possible. This means that on Váci Street outwards to Dózsa György Street, and on Üllői Street between Kálvin Square and Népliget, there will be cycle lanes.

Further plans include replacing diesel buses with trolleybuses where possible, with bus No. 9 being replaced by trolleybus No. 72, extended to Kőbánya-Városközpont (Kőbánya-City centre). They also intend to increase green spaces in the capital, including the renewal of the City Hall Park. The Népliget and Nyugati Square overpasses are not needed in the long term and will be demolished after 2026.

A park would be created on the site of Béla Puczi Square between Nyugati Railway Station and Váci út, currently used as a bus terminus, and the Podmaniczky Park would be created in the brownfield land between Ferdinánd Bridge and Eiffel Square.

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Developments in Districts VII and VIII

Péter Niedermüller, mayor of Erzsébetváros, said about District VII that they have started to calm traffic, limiting through traffic for a cleaner, livable district. Klauzál Square will be renovated and the proportion of green space in the square will be doubled.

András Pikó, Mayor of Józsefváros, said that they have started to reduce the traffic in the VIII district, making parking paid. As a result of the improvements, a small park will be created at the Klinikák metro station, increasing the district’s scarce green spaces. The air around Üllői Street will be cleaner and they would like to see a trolleybus replace the 9 bus.

Mr Pikó posted a video on his Facebook page that illustrates the changes planned for the section of Práter Street between Futó and Szigony Streets and the section of Tömő Street between Leonardo da Vinci and Szigony Streets. Watch the video below:

The plans for the “revitalised boulevards” – the renewal of the Váci Street, the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street and the Üllői Street – can be found HERE.

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Source: index.hu, budapest.hu