This is how the country's road network will change – Gigainvestments until 2034

The figures speak for themselves:

„In order to complete the levelling work, we needed to lay 4.5 million square metres of asphalt last year alone. In most cases, this meant laying a wearing course, but in many cases we also had to touch the binder course or the entire track structure.”

This is a huge volume – practically an area the size of a small town has been resurfaced.

Over the past three years (2022-2025), MKIF Zrt. has used 2.5 million tonnes of asphalt to renovate the associated expressways, renewing 13 million square metres of road surface, 315 bridges and 68 rest areas. We presented this in a detailed article at the end of last year.

Recycling: not a side issue, but a fundamental principle

Road construction today is not just about concrete and asphalt, but also about sustainability. One of the biggest challenges for the MKIF is the recycling of milled asphalt.

In line with international trends, our contract stipulates that we must use mastic asphalt in a ratio of 60% for renovation works and 35% for new constructions. At the same time, we are taking serious steps to ensure that we can use this type of asphalt in higher proportions than required, even in the binder course. Our figure for 2025 is 44.5%.„

There are currently 27 asphalt depots operating across the country, and drones are also being used for surveys – technology and environmental awareness go hand in hand. We have written about this in more detail and in detail here previously:

Lane expansions are coming: M1, M3, M7

„Our contract specifies very precisely when we have to make which investments,” he added.

„We are planning to widen the M1, M3 and M7 motorways. In addition, we have newly constructed expressways, such as the M200, which will run from the M1 through Sárbogárd to Kecskemét. Our task is to complete the M4 motorway and build the end of the M3 from Vásárosnamény to the national border – we will have to work closely with the state on this.”

The coming years will therefore not only be about maintenance and renovation, but also about redrawing the country's transport map with new expressways.

The development of the M1 motorway is in full swing

One of the biggest challenges is the expansion of the M1 motorway, which handles enormous traffic volumes.

„Unfortunately, this requires a great deal of patience from travellers: the conversion must be completed by 31 August 2028 in Bicske and by 31 August 2029 in Conco, so the work is being carried out simultaneously at several locations.”

Currently, the left lane, i.e. the lane heading towards Budapest, is being widened. In autumn, all traffic will be diverted here, with two lanes heading towards Győr and two lanes heading towards Budapest, so that the right lane, the lane heading towards Győr, can be demolished and rebuilt with a more modern, wider design.

„The widening of bridges, overpasses and underpasses has begun. The state has also tasked us with building the M100 junction, and planning for this has already begun,” explained Tamás Kertesi.

New hubs, new opportunities

It is not only the main lines that are undergoing changes. A complex rest area is being built on the M4 motorway near Monor, and a new junction is being constructed on the M44 motorway near Kunszentmárton.

New motorway engineering offices will be established alongside the M86 and M4 motorways, and an industrial development junction will be built on the M15 motorway near Bezenye.

Work will pick up speed from 2027 onwards

The widening of the M7 motorway to Szabadbattyán with a 2×3 + ITS configuration and to Balatonvilágos with a 2×2 + ITS configuration may commence next year, with a completion deadline of 2031.

„We must complete the section between the M200, M1 and Sárbogárd by 2030, but we have brought forward the Székesfehérvár bypass section in our development schedule – we will start this next year,” said the deputy chief technical officer.