Budapest’s roads, bridges, tram lines, and public transport fleet underwent significant upgrades over the summer, Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced in a statement on Monday.
The mayor stressed that the city timed the closures and maintenance works to coincide with the school holidays, aiming to complete as many projects as possible before the start of the academic year.
Budapest Public Roads Ltd (Budapest Közút) repaired around 4,000 potholes covering 3,600 square metres, resurfaced over 42,000 square metres of asphalt, refurbished 313 pedestrian crossings, and repainted road markings across 23,000 square metres. New bike lanes were added on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street and near Heroes’ Square. Structural improvements were also carried out on Árpád, Rákóczi, and Gubacsi bridges. Work is still ongoing at Flórián Square overpass, where unexpected structural issues caused delays, and at the Mozaik Street overpass.
Public transport also saw significant upgrades, with 11 new low-floor, air-conditioned CAF trams and 25 new Mercedes buses entering service. Dozens of older buses are set to be replaced in the coming months. Tram tracks were renewed between Jászai Mari Square and Nyugati Railway Station, while additional works were carried out at Karinthy Frigyes Street, Széll Kálmán Square, and the Vörösvári Road terminus. Further track replacements took place along Dréher Antal Road, Kútvölgyi Road, and Németvölgyi Road.
The city’s utilities also advanced key projects. Budapest Waterworks renewed nearly 1.5 kilometres of pipelines and repaired close to 2,000 faults. District heating company Főtáv began essential maintenance and upgrades in May to ensure the safe, energy-efficient operation of the system. Meanwhile, Budapest Public Utilities carried out modernization works worth roughly 3 billion forints across 13 districts.
Karácsony emphasized that these investments are crucial for the city’s safe, sustainable, and reliable operation, ensuring smoother traffic, modernized public transport, and improved infrastructure for residents.
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