The southern bypass will also relieve Baja of future traffic congestion

Soltút Kft. may build the southern bypass of Baja over a length of approximately four kilometres. The project, which is already under construction, will connect directly to the Hercegszántó border crossing, which is being developed as part of the diverting freight traffic from the Balkans. As we have discussed in detail previously: the construction of the motorway known as the ‘Smile of Vojvodina’ not only opens up new avenues towards alleviating congestion on the M5 and at Röszke, but could also give new purpose to the M6 motorway, which is currently one of Hungary’s least utilised motorways.

The 2×1-lane bypass will have sufficient capacity to comfortably handle 8,000–12,000 vehicles a day; following its opening, it will realistically divert several thousand vehicles a day – including the most critical heavy goods vehicles – away from residential areas, which until now have been burdening the internal road network, junctions and the road surfaces of the surrounding streets.

A new route covering four kilometres

As can be seen from government websites and the relevant public procurement documents: the development will involve the construction of nearly four kilometres of new road with a 2×1-lane layout, featuring four roundabouts, two axle-load weighing stations, three pairs of refurbished bus stops, the replacement of the relevant utility networks and the installation of a rainwater drainage system.

As part of the project, a single-lane roundabout will be built at the junction of Keleti körút and Nagy István utca in Baja, along with bays and platforms for the bus stops in the vicinity of the junction, as well as pedestrian and cycle crossings. The junction of Keleti körút and Bokodi út will also be converted into a single-lane roundabout; near this junction – adjacent to the cemetery – the existing car parks will be refurbished, and pedestrian and cycle crossings will be installed.

A turbo roundabout is also being built

The section of Keleti körút between Nagy István utca and Bokodi út will also undergo resurfacing, which will tie in with the roundabouts and the new southern bypass. As part of this work, experts from Soltút will carry out maintenance on the road’s drainage system, repair the verges and refurbish the level crossings on the industrial tracks concerned. A single-lane roundabout is also being built on Vaskúti Road, connected to a cycle path, and the existing pair of bus stops will be refurbished with a pavement link.

At the end of the project, south of Baja, the new road joins Main Road 51 via a multi-lane ‘turbo roundabout’, in which a direct lane ensures unimpeded traffic flow for vehicles arriving from the national border and those heading towards the bypass.

Earthworks are progressing

„Although there will only be at-grade junctions along this section of the road, together with Nagy István út, there will be four roundabouts along the route,” we were told by Tamás Katona, the project’s site manager. He added:

„We started construction this spring; we are carrying out standard roadworks on the southern bypass of Baja.”

The route is already visible over a distance of 1.5–2 kilometres. „We are currently awaiting,” said the project manager, “the finalisation of the land acquisition for one area; however, where we are able to work, we have begun relocating utility lines and carrying out earthworks. Following the removal of topsoil, we are carrying out the embankment foundations, and embankment construction has also begun. The completion of the cuttings was followed by cement-based soil stabilisation and the laying of the base course.”.

Focus on drainage

The installation of the hydraulic structures is about to begin: culverts and frame structures are to be fitted into the embankments. Most of these prefabricated elements are already on site, ready to be installed by the Soltút team.

„We have learnt that 8–10 construction machines and the same number of lorries are currently working on the bypass. Several branches of the Igali Main Canal cross the route; frame-structure bridges are being built here, and their installation will see the project make significant progress in the coming weeks.”

The project, with a total budget of 16.4 billion forints, is expected to be completed by the end of August 2027.