24 January 2025, Budapest – The reconstruction works of the overpasses at Flórián tér will start in a few weeks, required due to their technical condition. The contractor will take over the work area on 14 February (Friday), and subsequently on 1 March (Saturday morning) - in the first phase planned until autumn - will close the southern bridge, which is currently used by vehicles towards the Pest direction. In the first phase of the reconstruction works, for a temporary period, the northern overpass will function for two-way directions, where motorists will have the chance to go in one lane in each direction. For motorists going from Szentendrei út to Árpád híd and to Pest there will be a new two-lane U-turn established in Pacsirtamező utca. Reconstruction works will result in significant traffic changes and temporary restrictions, about which BKK will provide detailed updates, and at the same time, BKK would like to kindly ask passengers travelling in that area to prefer to use public transport services, instead.
The reconstruction works of the over forty-year-old overpasses at Flórián tér became inevitable and could not be postponed. Their technical condition has deteriorated to a significant extent: it has been affected by dirt and moisture, the structure is soaking wet around the pillars, causing the steel rebars to rust and the concrete surfaces to deteriorate.
The reconstruction works is expected to last until the spring of 2026 and is inevitable, in order the overpasses playing a crucial role in the transport of the Hungarian Capital and its metropolitian area could be used safely for further decades.
The contractor will work on the overpasses at Flórián tér in separate phases, hence one lane will always be maintained for road transport, as reconstruction works will be carried out in two phases. The contractor will take over the work area on 14 February (Friday), and then begin the preparatory work - with which, the complete modernization of the two-bridge structure connecting Szentendrei út and Árpád híd will begin, which is inevitable for the sustainability of the operational efficiency on Budapest's roads. The preparatory works at the junction under the overpasses will involve temporary lane narrowing, minor traffic restrictions outside peak hours, and possible closures. BKK would like to kindly ask passengers traveling in that area to take very good care, while driving.
The actual construction works will begin two weeks later: the first phase of the reconstruction works on the overpass is due to begin in the very early morning on 1 March (Saturday) when the contractor will close the southern bridge (where vehicle traffic currently heads towards Pest), while traffic will be permitted in one lane in each direction on the temporarily two-way northern bridge. To help motorists going from Szentendrei út to Árpád híd and to Pest, there will be a new two-lane U-turn established in Pacsirtamező utca.
In the second phase, starting in the autumn, the northern bridge will be closed, while on the reconstructed southern bridge, traffic can flow as usual from Szentendrei út towards Pest, and towards Szentendre, you can turn right at the below junction.
Transport changes during the reconstruction works
The reconstruction works planned to last until the spring of 2026 is necessarily accompanied with traffic restrictions and changes, thus every single passenger travelling in that area needs to calculate with longer journey time. BKK, as the investor and transport organisor does its utmost best to meet the demands of passengers travelling in that area the best possible way and, at the same time, to provide the area required for the reconstruction works. For the period of the reconstruction works, BKK plans the more frequent service to be provided along tramline 1, and has initiated, making agreements with the Hungarian Railway (MÁV-Group) on the more frequent service on suburban railway line H5 and the railway line running on the route section of Rákos-Solymár-Pilisvörösvár.
Please find continuously-updated information on the restrictions and route modifications taken in relation to the reconstruction works at bkk.hu/florian, in addition to which, also BKK Info shares the updated information each day on its usual channels.
Road transport
- In the first phase lasting from March to the autumn, traffic will be provided on the northern bridge, where passing through the overpass will be provided from and to Pest on one lane per direction.
- On the overpass, return of the traffic to Pest will be regulated by traffic lamps past the tram stop at Szentlélek tér, by dividing the tram track. BKK would like to kindly ask drivers not to stay long on the tracks, in case of traffic congestions, as this could hinder the service of trams.
- Passengers travelling on Szentendrei út towards Pest will have the chance to turn to Árpád híd on two lanes, with the temporarily-made U-turns in Pacsirtamező utca. BKK would like to kindly ask motorists that in case they notice some hindrance to traffic at the entrance of the overpass, then they drive onto the bridge via the U-turn established after the Flórián tér junction instead of the overpass.
- To avoid the expected congestion at the overpass, it is worth approaching the city center from North Buda via Megyeri híd.
- From the direction of Pest towards Szentendre - road capacity will be reduced by one lane, and congestion is also expected, but those heading towards Szentendre can also travel through the junction under the overpass or choose Megyeri híd.
- From the direction of Bécsi út, the direct left turn option to Szentendrei út will no longer be available at Flórián tér, but it will be accessible via the U-turn at Pacsirtamező utca.
- Due to traffic restrictions and temporary changes, BKK would like to kindly ask passengers travelling in the area and also those going to and coming from the metropolitan area to use public transport during the reconstruction works if possible, thus reducing the traffic load in the area.
Public transport services
- Tramline 1 running under the overpass is in service continuously; restrictions in relation to the tram service will be taken during the school holiday periods.
- From the direction of Békásmegyer to the city centre, the service of suburban railway line H5 is recommended: at Margit híd, you can transfer to tramlines 4 and 6, while at Batthány tér transfer is provided to metroline M2.
- The service of busline 9, and from the direction of Bécsi út, buslines 137, 218 and 237 and to the direction of Buda, buslines 34 and 106 remains unchanged.
- In case of certain buslines going from the direction of Észak-Buda, the routes and service schedule will be modified: buslines 34, 106, 118 and 134 and night services 901 and 918 going from the direction of Szentendrei út will be running to Szentlélek tér and Pest, instead of the overpass, in the new bus lane temporarily extended on Szentendrei út, on the bus turn designated at Pacsirtamező utca, therefore their schedule is expected to be longer than usual. Buslines 34, 106, 901 and 918 to Pest will not serve the Szentlélek tér stop, but temporarily will serve the Flórián tér stop next to the shopping mall.
- When you leave home, it is worthwhile to calculate your trip with increased travel time and use the BudapestGO Trip planner app. BKK’s app displays updated travel information on a continuous basis.
Cycling
- Bike lane designated on Flórián tér in 2023 will remain unchanged, however its route could be slightly modified, due to the work areas.
A multi-billion project for decades from the regained money
Overpasses at Flórián tér were renovated the last time in 2002-2003. The reason why renovation is required is that it could be used safely even in the upcoming decades.
During the reconstruction,
- the road’s cover will be replaced;
- errors of the concrete slab will be fixed;
- insulation will be renewed in its entire width, eliminating the reason of leakage over the pillars;
- a new concrete railing will be constructed, on which a new, safer barrier will be fixed;
- a dilational structure and bearings will be constructed on the two ends of the bridge;
- defects in the drainage system, retaining walls, bridge abutments and concrete surfaces of piers will be repaired, and
- special attention will be paid also to the integrity of archaeological finds.
The KM Építő Kft. will carry out the reconstruction works for a net cost of HUF 2.1 billion. The total project cost - including the mandatory reserve, the design fee, the technical inspector fee, the official fees and other costs - is expected to be around HUF 3 billion gross, including VAT.
The funds required for the implementation of the project will be provided by the Municipality of Budapest; largely covered by the amount recovered in the marathon-long lawsuit related to the electronic ticketing system, which was terminated in early March.
