Half of the structure of the new prestressed steel bridge over the M7 is lifted in

The technical condition of the old bridge also justified the construction of the new one

„According to technical studies, renovating the old bridge would be more expensive than building a new one, but in addition to the technical condition of the structure, another argument in favour of demolition is that during the expansion of the M7 motorway, which is due to start in 2027, the widened carriageway would no longer fit underneath it,” added the concession company in a post on its social media page.

In other words, the existing structure would have been demolished anyway because of the M7 extension.

The M7 motorway will be upgraded by MKIF Zrt. from the M0 junction to 2×3+ITS lanes from 2027 from the M0 junction to the Freabadbattyán junction, and to 2×2+ITS lanes between Szabadbattyán and Balatonvilágos. The new pedestrian-cycle bridge will be longer and wider than the current one. The new structure

• increases in length by almost 10 metres, from 70.3 metres to 79.1 metres,
• and one and a half times its width: from 2.9 metres to 4.5 metres.

Another change is that while the current bridge will have a 9% span, the new bridge will have a softer 5% span, according to the MKIF Zrt. communications directorate.

Dynamic curves, enhanced road safety

The reinforced concrete crossing, built in 1966, has been replaced by a purely steel span bridge. The Venice pedestrian-cycle bridge's low bending angle of the main girders and its geometry, which spans the roadway, will not only provide great structural strength, but will also demonstrate the technical progress of the new motorway.

The old bridge is safe to use until the new one is completed

The new crossing will be built about 25 metres further south towards Lake Balaton than the current one, and until it is completed, pedestrian and cyclist traffic will be able to cross the old one without any disruption. The current bridge will continue to be safe to use, subject to existing restrictions.

The current bridge, on which the Budapest-Balaton cycle route was also crossed two years ago, connects the rest areas of the track at Venice, so, as previously reported by MKIF Zrt., the left and right hand car parks of the Venice rest area will have to be partially or completely closed at times during construction.

The next elements will be added in mid-October.