Focus on the motorway – No diversions

The aim of the programme entitled „No Diversions – Questions and Answers” is to present, in a factual and clear manner, what is happening, how it is happening and why, on the approximately 1,300 km of expressway network operated by MKIF Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt.. It also aims to provide road users with substantive and professional answers to their questions. The topics and issues discussed in the latest episode of the podcast:

How do land expropriations take place, for example in the case of the M1 and M7 motorways?

Expropriation is a matter for the state; MKIF Zrt. is not involved in this process. The state will contact the affected owners and carry out the expropriation.

If the road surface on the M1 has already been resurfaced, why is it necessary to dig it up again now?

The M1 motorway was built in various phases and sections between 1964 and 1996, using different construction methods, and therefore its structural design is not uniform. As part of the current project:

• The track will be excavated to a depth of 100–120 cm along the entire 78 km length of the extension, on both sides;
• a completely new, unified structure is being built;
• It will be covered with a thicker layer of 32 cm (compared to the previous 20–21 cm).

This significantly increases load-bearing capacity and service life.

What is the reason for the long, continuous diversions?

There are two main reasons for this:

1. Work organisation considerations

• Construction is taking place amidst heavy traffic;
• a large quantity of materials and machinery needs to be transported;
• millions of cubic metres of earth will have to be moved.

Longer passes allow for more efficient work.

2. Road Safety

• fewer diversions = fewer changes to traffic flow;
• as there is less need to swerve, the number of sudden braking manoeuvres and lane changes is reduced, which can make driving safer;
• if there were several smaller diversions, traffic would have to be restricted more frequently and in more places during the reconstruction work,

It is important to note that, although speed restrictions are in place at the diversions, the 2×2-lane carriageway remains available just as it was before the expansion began. Capacity has not been reduced. MKIF Zrt. carries out operational tasks on the section of track undergoing expansion wherever and whenever possible at night, so as to cause the least possible disruption to traffic, and the track expansion works are also organised so as to disrupt traffic on the main line for only the time strictly necessary. Most tasks are carried out from the construction site or from service roads alongside the track.

What material is the extra lane made of?

The same as the other lanes. The entire track structure will be uniform so that every lane can withstand the same load.

After the expansion:

• There will be three lanes in each direction,
• plus one intelligent hard shoulder (ITS) on each side, which can be used as a fully-fledged traffic lane,
• This means that, following the expansion, traffic between Budapest and Győr will be able to travel on up to 2×4 lanes.

At the junctions, there will be 2×5 lanes, as the slip roads will be built alongside the ITS lane.

Why is a uniform track structure important?

The monocoque structure not only provides greater load-bearing capacity but also reduces the likelihood of structural faults and results in a longer service life.

When will the Biatorbágy junction open?

According to plans, at the end of May 2026. This development could make it easier to travel from the metropolitan area to Budapest, ease congestion on the motorway and significantly improve traffic flow.

What is the next phase of the M1 extension?

The current traffic arrangements are expected to remain in place until autumn 2026. Until then, work to widen the embankment will be carried out on the side heading towards Budapest. In autumn 2026, all traffic – comprising two lanes in each direction – will be diverted to the carriageway heading towards the capital, whilst on the carriageway heading towards Győr, full demolition and reconstruction of the track will commence. Around 1,500 people work on the project every day, often in areas not visible from the track.

Why is work taking place on several sections at the same time?

Due to tight deadlines, work must be carried out in parallel (36 months are available for the extension to Bicske, and 48 months to the Concó rest area). Between 20 March and 2 April 2026, 263 tasks were carried out or are being carried out on the route (these include, amongst other things, road and bridge construction, as well as environmental protection and traffic management tasks). The expansion of the M1 is proceeding according to schedule.

Is MKIF currently carrying out other development work beyond the M1?

In 2026, it is not only large-scale renovation and expansion projects that are underway on the MKIF Zrt. network. A new rest area is being built in Monor (A dedicated project page has recently gone live on the mkif.hu website: https://development.mkif.hu/m4monor), whilst construction of a new junction near Kunszentmárton is also set to begin this year.

The full episode of the podcast can be viewed on YOUTUBE and listened to at SPOTIFY.