Road building

How M1 will change in the coming years – 40 minutes on the past, present and future of M1

Published

2026. 03. 10. 09:56
MKIF Zrt.
After six decades, the M1 motorway is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The latest episode of the MKIF podcast offers a glimpse into history, looking at how the M1 motorway was built 60 years ago and how it could become one of the most modern expressways of the coming decades.

InnoWay – motorways in a new era – this is the name of the new innovation series launched by the MKIF Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt. podcast. In the first episode, development project coordinator Domonkos Koch introduces listeners to the history of the M1 motorway and its development from its inception to the present day, answering questions from communications director László Szimicsku. The conversation also reveals that the current development goes beyond a simple capacity expansion.

The M1 is already operating at nearly 100% capacity.

The first section of the M1 motorway between Budapest and Törökbálint, shared with the M7, was opened in 1965. Over the following decades, the M1 was extended westwards in sections, and it was not until 1996 that it reached the Austrian border at Hegyeshalom, where it joined the Austrian A4 motorway. The road provides a direct link between Budapest and Western Europe, which is why it is often referred to as Hungary's „western gateway” – it plays a similar symbolic role in transport as the Chain Bridge does in the history of the capital.

An interesting fact that emerged from the conversation was that the Chain Bridge was the first concession construction project in Hungary.

However, traffic has increased significantly in recent decades: today, 55,000–60,000 vehicles pass through certain sections of the motorway every day, and in urban areas, 80,000–90,000 vehicles use the motorway, 20–30 per cent of which are lorries and lorries. According to experts, this traffic already exceeds the originally planned capacity, which is why, as the experts say, the motorway is extremely „traffic-sensitive”, meaning that any event disrupting traffic can almost immediately cause a traffic jam. Even sudden braking or lane changes can easily trigger a chain reaction, leading to congestion almost immediately.

Track thickness increases by one and a half times

The current motorway structure is mostly built on a 20–23 centimetre thick asphalt surface, which has been laid on various base layers over the decades. However, during the current development, a completely new, homogeneous road structure is being built.

On the extended M1 motorway:

  • asphalt thickness grows to 32 centimetres,
  • the cladding is designed for a 30-year lifespan,
  • and the entire track structure 11.5 tonnes axle load are planning.

During the works, not only will the asphalt be removed: in several places, the top layer of soil, approximately one metre thick, will also need to be replaced in order to create a uniform, well-drained and durable base.

Not just bandwidth expansion, but complete system development

One of the most important messages of the discussion is that the development of the M1 motorway is a complex infrastructure transformation and system-level development. The motorway will operate with 2x3 lanes and a hard shoulder that can be opened with the help of intelligent, i.e. digital, signs.

However, this also entails a number of further developments:

  • reconstruction of bridges and overpasses (72 will be rebuilt or reconstructed),
  • expansion of artworks,
  • construction of new junctions (11 existing ones will be converted, 4 new ones will be built),
  • developing rest areas, making them family-friendly,
  • and 300 new truck parking spaces design.

In the vicinity of junctions, a cross-section of up to 2X5 lanes may be created to ensure safe entry and exit. This is because the ITS lane means that the entry and exit lanes are designed as separate lanes to ensure traffic safety.

Digital motorway and ITS system

One of the key elements of the renewed M1 is the intelligent transport system (ITS).

Digital displays and centrally controlled traffic management enable the hard shoulder to be used as a traffic lane when necessary, significantly increasing road capacity.

This is particularly important in a transit corridor that is crucial not only for Hungary but also for freight transport in Central Europe.

Sustainable road construction

Sustainability considerations also play a key role in the development. One of the most important elements of the project is the recycling of crushed asphalt (we wrote about this in more detail in an article entitled "The M1 motorway will be rebuilt using recycled asphalt" at https://magyarepitok.hu/utepites/2024/11/jelentos-mertekben-ujrahasznositott-aszfaltbol-zajlik-majd-az-m1-es-bovitese" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previous interview).

In line with international trends and based on the concession agreement, 20–30 per cent of the materials removed during construction will be reused in the lower layers of the new pavement, while the wearing course will be made entirely of new asphalt. This will significantly reduce the environmental impact of the construction work.

As part of the developments, new drainage systems and storm water reservoirs will also be built, as well as taller noise barriers in several locations.

The beginning of a new era

The development of the M1 motorway involves reconstruction, expansion and technological modernisation. The aim is not only to manage the increase in traffic, but also to create an infrastructure that will ensure Hungary's modern westbound expressway connection for decades to come.

The entire conversation about the past and future of M1, as well as other interesting facts, can be listened to at the following links:

YouTube collection link:

We're on track! – YouTube

Spotify:

We're on track! – podcast | Podcast on Spotify

Source: Link

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