The M1 motorway tri-laning has been put out to concession

In order to protect the country's economic interests, the government has reviewed the motorway concession agreement concluded for the development and operation of expressways, the Government Information Centre (KTK) announced on Friday with MTI. Taking into account the extreme economic environment, the cabinet decided to amend the concession agreement in order to ensure transport safety, stability and economic development.

An essential role in East-West transit

They recalled that a number of investments were halted or rescheduled in 2023 in order to reduce the burden on the budget. At the same time, in order to ensure the predictable development of motorway traffic, which is one of the most important drivers of the economy, it was decided to "put the M1 motorway between Budapest (M0 motorway) and Bicske into concession".  

"The extension of the section of the M1 motorway concerned is necessary, it is one of the most important sections of the national road network and plays an indispensable role in the safe management of east-west transit and passenger traffic," they added.

Postponing the construction would have caused serious problems

In its statement, the KTK pointed out that the M1 motorway between the M0 and Bicske is directly connected to the M0 ring road, so that both the southbound - towards the M6 and M5 motorways - and eastbound - towards the M4 and M3 - transit traffic passes through it, which has exhausted the capacity of the road sections. "

The postponement or cancellation of the construction would have resulted in permanent and serious obstruction of regional, national and international traffic to and from Budapest, and would have led to a significant deterioration in accident statistics," they wrote.  

They stressed that "the amendment to the contract settled these issues in a satisfactory manner, taking into account the interests of the national economy, by entrusting the concessionaire with the construction and operation of the lane widening of the section concerned and the M1-M100-103 grade-separated interchange system".   

Concession contract amendment ensures new developments

They said that, in addition, the concessionaire had to reschedule the widening of the motorway sections and the construction of new motorway sections for traffic engineering and safety and technical and construction aspects, as well as to carry out the so-called road safety resurfacing works, which are stipulated in the concession contract and which ensure the service levels expected from the concessionaire and safe traffic.

They pointed out that the modification of the concession contract will ensure the future dynamic expansion of motorway lanes and the construction of new motorways, as well as the maintenance of a high level of service, thus ensuring the dynamic growth of the country's economic development. Despite the unforeseen adverse consequences of the protracted war, the dynamic development and high level operation of motorways under concession is a priority for the government, they stressed.