Expansion of the M7 motorway to begin in 2027 – details in the new MKIF podcast

The MKIF Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt. podcast channel has released a new episode. In the section entitled No distractions – questions and answers, László Szimicsku, Director of Communications, responds to the most frequently asked questions about the operation, renovation and development of the expressway network.

We have previously reported that the podcast channel was launched by
because it had received numerous questions and enquiries about the motorways managed by MKIF Zrt.. The aim is to provide clear, factual information about what is happening on the network and to respond openly to questions.

MKIF Zrt. operates the associated expressways from 21 engineering offices nationwide. The map of the managed network clearly shows that the M5 and M6 motorways, as well as several other expressway sections, including the M0 and M43, are not under their management.

Road tolls: who sets them and where does the revenue go?

The question often arises as to why tolls are so expensive in Hungary. It is important to emphasise that toll rates are not determined by the concession company, nor is it responsible for collecting tolls; both of these are matters for the state.

The most recent official data is from 2024: in that year, HUF 804 billion in road tolls flowed into the budget. Of this, HUF 200 billion went to MKIF, meaning that approximately three-quarters of the revenue did not go to the Company.

They added: The amount specified in the concession agreement will only be paid in full if the operator performs its duties flawlessly and fulfils the terms of the agreement in full. Even if the state collects more road tolls, MKIF Zrt. will not receive a penny more.

Approximately 80 per cent of toll revenue is paid into the budget by vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, and more than half of this amount comes from foreign vehicles. The fee paid to the Concession Company is even less than this – based on the figures, it can therefore be stated that the maintenance, renovation and development of the expressways covered by the concession is not paid for by domestic motorists, but by foreign lorry drivers.

Expansion of the M7 motorway to begin in autumn 2027

The podcast also mentioned the following major developments. The ten-year development period for MKIF began on 1 September 2025 with the expansion of the M1, followed by the expansion of other tracks and the construction of new ones.

The next major project will be the expansion of the M7 motorway, which will commence in autumn 2027. Construction of the M200 will also begin in the same year: from Komárom to Székesfehérvár, then on to Sárbogárd, and from there, under the name M8, the new expressway will cross the Danube and continue all the way to Kecskemét.

During the ten-year programme, existing motorways will be extended by a total of approximately 299 kilometres – first the M1, then the M7 and finally the M3 – and 279 kilometres of new expressways will be built.

When will the 2+1+1 diversion on the M1 end?

Another question that arose was when the current temporary 2+1+1 lane diversion on the M1 motorway will end. According to the plans, the traffic order will be changed in September 2026: at that time, the two-lane traffic will be moved to the side of the motorway heading towards Budapest, so that traffic heading towards Győr and Budapest will be able to travel on this side on two lanes. At the same time, complete demolition will begin on the side of the motorway leading towards Hegyeshalom, to a depth of approximately 100-120 centimetres, along the entire closed section to be expanded.

Is the earlier completion date for the M1 realistic?

The expansion of the M1 motorway is proceeding according to schedule. The deadline for the renovation of the M1 motorway is tight. The section between the M0 motorway and Bicske must be completed by 31 August 2028, while the deadline for the section up to the Concó rest area – at kilometre 94, in the Bábolna area – is 31 August 2029. There are 36 months available for the former section and 48 months for the latter.

Previously, when the M1 motorway was still planned as a state investment, the plans estimated a construction period of 60 to 72 months, so the current schedule is still considered tight.

Up-to-date information is provided on numerous channels

According to feedback from residents, it is important to provide continuous information about the exact schedule and closures. The company therefore regularly informs those affected via several communication channels. These channels were previously in a separate article, with a focus on the expansion of the M1 motorway.

A website dedicated to the M1 expansion has been launched in 13 languages, providing information on traffic regulations, rest areas and junctions, as well as emergency lay-bys. In addition, the official website and social media platforms provide continuous updates, and a series of documents and an M1 expansion log have also been created. These are all MKIF content that is regularly published with images and videos.

The facts: the M1 will be expanded along a 78-kilometre section between the M0 and the Concó rest area. The development involves more than just widening and expanding the motorway: 72 bridges and overpasses will be rebuilt or renovated, 11 junctions will be modernised and 4 new ones will be built. Rest areas will be renovated, around 300 new truck parking spaces will be built, the engineering sites in Bicske and Komárom will be expanded, drainage will be modernised, and noise barriers will be built over a larger area and on longer sections.

The carriageway will be widened to two times three lanes, with one full traffic lane on each side and a smart hard shoulder that can be used as a traffic lane, for greater capacity and safety. These will be opened to traffic using digital signs when the traffic situation and/or an accident warrants it.

The MKIF Zrt. podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9QhI-Jo8A

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0jFeZdc6TY1wT7SohN2Dxh?si=QW0okG8uRuG8MIwYlDN5kw