This is why more than 22 kilometres of track is being built for a single junction on the M5 motorway

The new junction between the M44 motorway and the M5 motorway is being built with unprecedented parameters. Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium is investing in a complex project, which is being carried out by Hódút Építő Kft.. According to the experts who spoke to us about the development, a junction is being built to provide access to and from the M5 motorway, the M44 motorway and the 5 motorway in all directions.

The continuation of the M44 motorway, which will continue along the planned M8 motorway, must also be ensured

The scale of the project is reflected in the fact that, in addition to the construction of seven structures and the demolition of one structure, the technical content includes almost 22 kilometres (!) of track. The main reason for the need for such a large-scale development is that the M44 motorway will be extended westwards to continue along the planned M8 motorway, thus creating a crossing of two motorways (M5 and M44-M8) and the 5 motorway, which also intersects the M5 motorway at this point.

The details of this unprecedented transport development were summarised for our readers by the general contractor as follows. "A basic design requirement is that the junction should be designed in such a way that traffic coming from the other direction and continuing on in the other direction causes the least possible disruption. This can be achieved by using separate crossings (bridges), collector-divider lanes (acceleration/deceleration lanes) to achieve the desired degree of efficiency."

This should be built into the project

In line with the above objectives

• over the M5 motorway and the main road 5, the M44 motorway bypasses will be completed;
• flyovers from the M5 and the main road to the M44;
• as well as the M44 to M5 and 5 motorway junctions;
• and the bypass of the main road No 5 over the M5.

It may seem complicated to describe, but the site plan below will help you to understand the well thought-out design of a large junction.

The relocation of Highway 5 also had to be resolved in order to start construction

Construction of the project started in summer 2024 with preparatory works. The preparatory work also had to take into account the need to complete the link section of the M44 motorway between Kecskemét and Szentkirály, thus ensuring uninterrupted traffic after the junction was built.

To this end, even before the closing section of the M44 opening in April, corrections were made to the technical content of the junction on main road No. 5, including the construction of the associated roundabouts.

The previously separate structural elements are now becoming a bridge

At this stage of the project, the substructure works are already being completed and the superstructure works are starting on the worksites of the bridges at the junction.

"We have now reached the most spectacular stage of construction for four structures, the installation of the prefabricated girders," said the project management. "This is when the previously separate structural elements become a bridge. The outlines of the structures can now be seen not only by the engineering eye but also by the general public."

Night-time track closure for the girder construction over the M5

As one of the main elements of the project, in the first half of July, the prefabricated supports for the bridge over the M5 motorway on Main Road No. 5 were lifted into place, as recently reported by the investor ÉKM in a short post.

Beam raising on this bridge started on Thursday 10 July on the section of the bridge not affected by the motorway. Subsequently, on Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning, the girder work on the span over the motorway was carried out. A full lane closure was in place on the M5 motorway during the girder lifting with police assistance, but this was lifted after each girder lifting to ease congestion.

Embankment construction on both sides of the M5

Once the beams are in place, work will continue with the construction of the deck slabs, waterproofing, embankments and bridge abutments.

In addition to this, the embankment of the new track of the new Highway 5 on the east and west side of the M5 motorway, linked to the road bridge over the M5, is under construction. "In addition, the embankment of the future M8 expressway and the construction of the waterworks in front of the noise barriers on both sides of the M5 motorway are also underway," the contractor added.

So far, experts have developed 15 different traffic conditions

In addition to the size and complexity of the junction, the need to maintain traffic on the M44, the 5 and the M5 during construction is a major challenge. The scale of the task is evident from the fact that the contractor's engineers have worked out 15 different traffic conditions for the period of the construction work so far. "This figure does not include so-called 'short lead time' traffic management, such as temporary traffic management during beam lifting," he stressed.

The general contractor would like to thank all road users for their patience at the junction. "With a junction design of this scale, where in addition all the junction roads are operating at full capacity, only a large number of diversions can achieve one of our main objectives, which is to ensure continuous accessibility and barrier-free construction."

The importance of this task is increased by the fact that the M1-M0-M5 axis is the largest road corridor in Hungary.

Putting the new bridge into service will ensure the demolition of the old one

Finally, we were informed about the targets for this year. Among the planned tasks are to have all the structures of the junction with trackbeds by the end of the year and to complete the M8 main line embankment. "It is important to add that we are also planning to put a temporary circulation at the bridge, which will be girdered at the end of this year, so that the demolition of the old bridge on the main road 5 can start this year. In addition, if we have the means and the weather is favourable, we will certainly not stop in November," the contractor added.

The information given to our newspaper also revealed that certain parts of the construction will be handed over in several phases this year, and will be temporarily put into service to help the junction operate more efficiently.

Expected to be completed by the end of 2026

The construction of the M5 motorway junction will be carried out while maintaining traffic on two operational expressways and a busy main road. Temporary traffic engineering works require increased attention from both workers and road users. The occasional full lane closure works will be carried out during the weekend/evening periods when trucks are at a standstill, in view of the fact that this is the period when traffic volumes are at their lowest. These traffic restrictions will always be announced in a press release issued by ÉKM as the investor.

The interchange system is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Until then, traffic restrictions are to be expected, so it is advisable to be aware of current traffic restrictions in advance and to pay attention to the warning signs and signs above the motorway when driving.