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From the M0 to Győr (northwestern Hungary), the M1 will be widened to two three-lane motorways by 2029, with one intelligent shoulder (emergency stopping lane) on each side, depending on traffic conditions, reports Világgazdaság.
In 2023, the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development (MKIF) replaced 3.6 million square meters of asphalt, and this year it aims to renovate another 3.9 million square meters of pavement, Tamás Németh, CEO of the company, said.
He stressed that
the biggest motorway reconstruction project in Hungary’s history has started.
It is not only about replacing the pavement: the rest areas are also being renewed.
The M1 motorway. Photo: Wikipedia/Szeder László
The actual widening of the westbound motorway is due to start next year, with important preparatory work underway and landscaping needed before the road can be upgraded.
An important change will be
the removal of the hedge in the middle of the motorway, which will make maintenance considerably more expensive,
not to mention being an accident hazard and a trap for animals. It also takes five times longer to maintain, causing traffic jams. The hedge will be replaced by concrete partitions with drainage underneath.
On the M1 near Budapest, there are on average about two bridges or flyovers over the motorway every kilometer. The widening of the road will make the rebuilding or replacement of bridges a priority.
MKIF will try to minimize the impact of the renovation on motorists, but there will be closures and traffic diversions around the bridges. Work vehicles will first appear on the road in September 2025, but the two lanes will be maintained throughout the upgrade. A new feature is the construction of so-called intelligent shoulders (included in ITS – intelligent transportation system) alongside the two three-lane motorways. Intelligent shoulders are still a novelty throughout Europe, but they are planned for the M7 and then the M3 motorways as well.
The installation of an average speed measurement system for the whole section is also on the agenda, but no decision has been made yet,”
the CEO stressed. The installation of new traffic cameras is also planned.
The renovation will take sustainability into account: part of the asphalt will be recycled and separate landfill areas will be created for unused material.
In addition to the M1 development, the M7 extension will be launched in 2027. Here, too, the motorway will be widened to three lanes, as far as Szabadbattyán (central Transdanubia).
During the 10-year development period (2025-2034), starting next year, 299 kilometers of existing motorways (M1, M3, M7) will be extended and 279 kilometers of new motorways will be built. These improvements are worth over HUF 4,000 billion (EUR 9.8 billion).
Via Világgazdaság; Featured image via Wikipedia