One of the most spectacular elements of the Southern Circular Railway project – the bridge insertion on Bartók Béla út has begun – updated with video

After completion of the entire construction, the temporary bridgeheads will be dismantled.

Greater load capacity with lower weight

At Monday's press event, it was also revealed that the new four-track structure will be Hungary's first two-track „network” railway bridge, which is not only a structural feat but also a visual experience – it will be illuminated in the evening.

Balázs Norbert Kovács also explained one of the key advantages of the network system: the slanted mesh structure can bear greater loads and span larger gaps with a smaller bridge mass. This means that the new bridge will be able to carry a rail axle load of 22.5 tonnes.

„The crossing thus complies with EU regulations on core rail network corridors and military mobility networks,” he said.

The push bar ensures that traffic does not have to be stopped.

The ministerial commissioner also discussed the details of the pushing technology used for the northern bridge structure: according to this, the contractor will also use a pushing pipe for this structure. This extends the bridge structure, allowing temporary supports to be built at greater distances, while the structure retains its rigidity and stability.

The essence of this pushing technology is that the bridge structure is put into place in one piece, without significantly disrupting road, tram, pedestrian and bicycle traffic or stopping traffic. The bridge is pushed into place using a pushing beam laid on the assembly area and permanent and temporary supports required for the pushing process.

Congestion on the capital's roads will be reduced by 60,000 cars per day

Responding to question Magyar Építők, Balázs Norbert Kovács revealed that one of the benefits of the greater span will be that the traffic corridor passing under the bridge can be expanded to include cycle paths.

Finally, he emphasised the importance of developing the Southern Circular Railway, pointing out that commuters will be able to switch to public transport without having to pass through congested main stations. This will reduce congestion on the capital's roads by 60,000 cars per day and cut carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to the greenhouse effect, by many thousands of tonnes.

The ministerial commissioner summarised as follows:,

The construction of the Bartók Béla út railway bridge is perhaps the most spectacular element of the Southern Circular Railway: „It faithfully reflects what characterises the entire project: it is based on solutions used for the first time in Hungary; its size and significance make it one of the largest investments; and it is also a 21st-century development project.”