Construction of Futuristic Danube Bridge Begins in Hungary
New Danube Bridge Planned to Ease Traffic Burden in Hungary
The Hungarian government has announced plans to build a new bridge near Mohács in southern Hungary to alleviate the heavy traffic burden in Budapest’s southern districts. Construction and investment minister, János Lázár, revealed that the bridge is set to be completed by the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács. This battle marked the end of the Medieval Hungarian Kingdom and the start of a 150-year-long Ottoman rule over a significant portion of the country.
The need for a new bridge on this section of the River Danube was first identified several years ago. However, the project has been delayed due to extended planning procedures. It was only in January of this year that the final plans were approved.
The cost of the new bridge is estimated to exceed HUF 100 billion (EUR 267 million). Speculations arose that the project might be postponed, but Minister Lázár recently gave the green light for the program. One challenge is that the government intends to fund the project using EU funds, but as of yet, Hungary has not received any financial support.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also expressed his support for the new bridge project during his State of the Nation speech in February. He emphasized the significance of unifying the Eastern and Western parts of Pannonia and Hunnia, which would include the construction of a new bridge near Mohács.
Gábor Pávkovics, the mayor of Mohács, expressed hope that the construction could be completed by 2026, in time for the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács. The bridge has been in the planning phase for 30 years, as the current means of crossing the river is limited to ferries. The new overpass would provide essential connectivity for various southern regions and cities in Hungary.
The planned bridge is projected to have a length of 750 meters and cover an area of 18,000 square meters. It will feature 2X2 lanes for vehicles as well as a dedicated bike lane, integrated into the EuroVelo system.
Overall, the construction of the new Danube bridge near Mohács holds great promise for improving transportation and connectivity in Hungary, benefiting both local residents and visitors to the region.
