One of the country’s most important railway lines is set to undergo a major upgrade

Another major railway development project has found a contractor: as part of the Gábor Baross Railway Development Plan, Line 1 – one of the country’s most important railway lines – is set to undergo development.

According to the announcement by the Ministry of Transport and Investment, the investor, the Almásfüzitő–Komárom section of the Budapest–Győr–Hegyeshalom railway line towards Vienna will be constructed by
SWIETELSKY Vasúttechnika Kft. will be responsible for its reconstruction.

Faster trains, a more reliable timetable, a more comfortable environment

According to a blog post by the Minister for Transport and Investment post on social media, the 13.6-kilometre section in question is to be upgraded at a cost of 36.3 billion forints. Dávid Vitézy emphasises that a section of the Vienna main line, which has hitherto been unsuitable for speeds of 160 km/h, is being rebuilt with funding from the EU Cohesion Fund.

„Whilst the speed of construction on the main line from Budaörs to the national border exceeds the speed legally permitted for motor vehicles almost all the way along, the track speed on this section is 120” – said Dávid Vitézy, explaining the significance of the project.

„As well as increasing speed, our aim is to provide a more comfortable environment for passengers boarding and alighting, to ensure that services to Austria, Győr and other towns in Western Transdanubia run to a more reliable timetable, and to make both rail and road transport safer.”

A realignment will also be required, and a new road and pedestrian overpass will be built

Following a successful public procurement process, a contract will be signed shortly, and the planned development is expected to be completed by 2030.

The project includes, amongst other things:

• the track will be completely rebuilt along the entire section, and the switches will be fitted with switch heating;
• At the Szőny stop, a 1,600-metre-long curve correction is being carried out to enable speeds of 160 km/h, which means the track is being moved slightly further away;
• Near Szőny, the barrier on Main Road 1 is being replaced by a road overpass;
• In addition, three smaller level crossings will be removed; these will be replaced by a new road built from another level crossing, whilst the new road overpass and new pedestrian and cycle underpass will provide a crossing over the railway;

• High platforms are being built at Almásfüzitő-felső station and Szőny stop to ensure barrier-free access to the railway;

• A pedestrian underpass is being built at Almásfüzitő-felső, and a pedestrian overpass with lifts is being built at the Szőny stop;  

• pedestrian and cycle underpasses will be built at two points along the route: at the Almasfüzitő cemetery and in Szőny, on Stadion út; 

• A Park & Ride (P+R) and Bike & Ride (B+R) car park is to be built at the Szőny stop, in the area between Main Road 1 and the railway line.