Map showing the new motorways in 2024

The quality of domestic expressways improved significantly in 2024. The MKIF Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt. replaced the damaged and worn pavement with new asphalt on a total of 5.1 million square metres of sections taken over for operation and renovation in September 2022. This represents more than 27% of the 1,237 km of main roads operated by the Company, totalling approximately 334 kilometres.

Of this, 4 million square metres were used for so-called reclamation work on sections of the main line where the pavement conditions were below the expected technical level.

These in 70% meant not only replacing a layer, but also the bonding layer under the top wear layers or even the base layer where deeper cracks and damage were found. In more than 2/3 of the works, the pavement was replaced by about 20-30 cm. A further 1 million square metres were repaired and resurfaced over large areas to ensure safe traffic.

In 2024, the works were carried out on 11 motorways: the M1, M15, M3, M30, M35, M4, M7, M70, M8, M85, M86. In addition to the pavement replacement, the Company also reconstructed several interchange branches, service crossings and rest areas.

Our map shows the works to be carried out in 2024

The M3 motorway has seen the most work, with the most places needing mainline renewal in 2024. On this motorway, 2.2 million square metres were resurfaced. On this stretch alone, 400,000 tonnes of asphalt were laid, while 24 rest areas and 35 bridges were renewed.

The second largest volume of resurfacing work was on the M7. There, 1.6 million square metres of new asphalt were laid. In addition to the pavement replacement, 79 bridges and 6 rest areas have been resurfaced. On the M1 motorway, several sections were also resurfaced, covering almost 700,000 square metres. Since the widening of the motorway will start in autumn 2025, only the most essential parts were worked on.

The replacement of the track surface has been ongoing since autumn 2022. According to official data from the National Road Database (OKA), 46% of the road surface has been renewed on the sections operated by MKIF Zrt. in the two years since the concession began (between 1 September 2022 and 1 September 2024). This is also mentioned in a separate article by Magyar Építők article. The change is shown separately for each expressway on a graph.

33 renewed rest areas for travellers

Rest areas have also been continuously renovated across the country. 33 out of 167 were upgraded in 2024. These are quite large-scale works: some have renewed the roads and car parks and others the buildings. In these cases, the toilets are practically demolished down to the structure and then rebuilt. New roofing, insulation, new plumbing and sanitary installations are being installed, and the surroundings of the rest areas are being tidied up. Play areas have already been installed at some of the rest areas on the M7. Separate waste collection has been in place in ¾ of the rest areas since 2023 and 500 tree saplings have been planted in MKIF Zrt. au motorway rest areas across the country.

Our newspaper previously reported on the planned expansion of the M1 motorway in a detailed article detailed article about the planned expansion of the M1 motorway, which will involve almost complete demolition and reconstruction of the road, as well as expanding the motorway to 2×3 lanes. The 1-1 smart hard shoulders on each side will become full traffic lanes, which can be opened to traffic during the busiest periods. As part of this historic development, overpasses and bridges will be demolished and rebuilt. On the M1, there are an average of two bridges per kilometre in the sections close to Budapest.

Leveling up to be completed by the end of summer this year

The Company must complete the levelling works by 31 August 2025. This year, it is planned to renew 3.1 million square metres of deteriorated and worn pavement (this is the main track 16%). Where necessary, the bonding and base layers under the top wearing course will also be repaired and replaced. It is also planned to renew 40 bridges and overpasses and to continue with the renovation of the rest areas, with a further 30 rest areas expected to be renewed this year. Work is scheduled to start in the spring, with no large-scale resurfacing work planned in advance on the tracks operated by MKIF Zrt..