Seven and a half kilometres of railway track are to be renewed between Kiskunfélegyháza and Gátér

According to information from the MÁV group, comprehensive renovation work on the section of railway line No. 147 (Kiskunfélegyháza–Orosháza) between Kiskunfélegyháza and Gátér began in the first few days of August.

Experts from the railway company will be working on the approximately 7.5-kilometre section of track for four months.
The aim of the project is to lift the current 30 km/h speed restriction, which was introduced due to the deteriorated condition of the track. Once the works are complete, trains are expected to be able to run at the officially authorised speed of 60 km/h again from early 2027. As a result, journey times on the line could be reduced by around eight minutes.

More than 12,000 reinforced concrete slabs are being replaced

As part of the comprehensive track renewal project, a total of 16 kilometres of track – in 120-metre-long sections – will be laid, and 12,500 worn-out reinforced concrete sleepers will be replaced. Around 13,000 tonnes of crushed stone will be used to ensure the track is properly supported and stable.

The works will also affect seven road–rail crossings. In addition, the insulation of a trough bridge will be renewed and two short truss bridges will undergo maintenance. Due to the reconstruction of the crossings, temporary full closures are also to be expected on several country roads with low traffic volumes.

Elevated, tarmacked platforms are being built

As part of the track construction work, improvements are also being carried out at the Városi Park and Csongrádi út farmhouses stops. The existing platforms are being refurbished and resurfaced with asphalt, and their level will be raised by 15 centimetres relative to the top of the rails. This development will make it easier for passengers to board and alight from trains.

The works are taking place whilst the line is completely closed. As a result, from 3 August until the timetable change on 12 December, replacement buses will operate between Kiskunfélegyháza and Szentes instead of all trains. User MÁV has pointed out that in several towns, the buses do not stop directly at the railway stations or railway stops.

The aim is to modernise the dilapidated infrastructure

Dávid Vitézy also reported on the works on his social media page. In addition to describing the works currently underway on line 147, the Minister for Investment and Transport wrote that, thanks to the Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan announced on 22 July, the dilapidated railway infrastructure across the whole country is being modernised to ensure a higher standard of service. He stated: 

We are also lagging far behind in the ongoing maintenance of the railway track. The regular refurbishment of main and branch lines is essential to maintaining the quality of the track. The refurbishment between Kiskunfélegyháza and Gátér will cost a net total of 1,375 million forints. Our aim is to remove speed restrictions wherever possible, improve track conditions and create a better travel experience for passengers.