Austrian Construction Company Ordered to Repair Cracking Motorway Surface
A section of the M30 motorway in Hungary has been closed due to shifting in the structure, causing cracks in the pavement and raising the risk of accidents. The Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Company (MKIF), which operates the motorway, has announced the closure of the full width of the road in both directions, as reported by World economy.
The affected section was built by Strabag, the Austrian construction company, which has been called upon by the Hungarian state to carry out the repairs. However, the company has delayed responding to the call for now. The closure is expected to last from February 17 to August 17, meaning that motorists will not be able to travel on this section for at least six months.
According to László Szimicsku, communications director of MKIF, a 100-150 meter wide section of the track has sunken due to the shifting of its structure, requiring extensive repairs that may take many months to complete. The M30 motorway was opened less than two and a half years ago, in October 2021, at a cost of HUF 200 billion (EUR 515 million).
The Hungarian state, as the investor, has already called on Strabag to carry out the guarantee restoration work according to the schedule. However, the company has stated that it is not in a position to respond directly regarding the project in question as the contract terms require an official statement to be made by the client.
The Ministry of Construction and Transport has initiated an investigation to identify the cause of the structural problem, with the involvement of relevant experts. Once the cause of the defect has been determined, plans for restoration will be developed. Meanwhile, access to the work site and the duration of the closure can only be determined following the completion of the investigation.
This development comes as a setback for the M30 motorway, which was considered one of the largest projects of the previous EU financial cycle. The closure and subsequent repair work are expected to cause significant inconvenience to motorists and affect transportation in the region. Further updates on the restoration progress will be awaited as the investigation and repair works continue.
