Major renovation work is set to begin on the Buda section of tram line 6

Tram lines 4 and 6 are Budapest’s best-known tram routes and among the busiest in Europe, carrying around 300,000 passengers a day. Due to the constant, heavy strain placed on the tracks, comprehensive, pre-planned refurbishment is required from time to time, in addition to regular maintenance. The BKV is currently rebuilding a key section of the line’s Buda branch, namely the Karinthy Frigyes út.

A more modern, durable and quieter tram track is being built on Karinthy Frigyes út – according to a statement from BKK. The works are expected to last until the second half of November.

As part of the project, the tram tracks between Irinyi József Street and Bercsényi Street will be modernised. Demolition work on site will begin on 28 September.

A section of track measuring almost 800 metres is being renewed, approximately 1,300 cubic metres of asphalt and concrete surfacing is being replaced, and experts are installing a total of 12 drainage inlets at six cross-sections.

The rails are fixed using the grouting-around-the-rails method

The refurbishment involves more than just replacing the rails. Once the old track structure has been dismantled, the engineers will construct the ballast bed and the substructure, and then lay the load-distributing slab. This will be covered with a vibration-damping rubber mat and prefabricated reinforced concrete track sections.

The rails are then secured using a flexible method known as grout-in-place technology . Thanks to this,

The refurbished section of track will require minimal maintenance in the future, and in the long term, tram services will become more reliable, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly.

An important consideration when planning the works was that they should begin after the summer track renewal works, so that there would be fewer traffic restrictions affecting the capital’s transport network at any one time. The autumn timeframe is also more favourable in terms of the technical requirements of the construction work, as many railway construction materials can only be installed within a specific temperature range. In the summer heat, certain work processes – some of which generate significant noise – would have had to be carried out during the cooler night-time hours, whilst persistently high daytime temperatures could also have slowed down the pace of construction.

During the reconstruction work, Karinthy Frigyes Road will be temporarily made one-way towards Irinyi József Street. Trams on the Grand Boulevard in South Buda will run to Újbuda-központ on routes 4 and 6.

During the works, restrictions will be in place on road and public transport. For further details, please visit the BKK website.