One of Hungary's largest railway development projects can continue at a new pace

The EU Public Procurement Bulletin has published the latter of the two largest railway projects currently underway – the modernisation of the section between Budapest–Belgrade and Kelenföld–Ferencváros – namely the implementation of phase III of the Southern Circular Railway III. The procedure is conditional, as the financial coverage for the contract is not available at the time of the launch of the procedure. Once completed, the railway line being built as part of the Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium investment will provide three tracks between the Ferencváros and Kelenföld railway stations instead of the current two, and four tracks on certain sections. The development includes the construction of new stops, the modernisation of existing bridges, the installation of noise barriers and the creation of a green corridor along the railway line.

In the second phase, new bridges and stops were built.

The second phase of construction began in January last year, with V-Híd Zrt. working on the basis of the Kontúr Csoport Kft. implementation plan. Work is continuing in Kelenföld, on the south side of the Danube Bridge and in the Ferencváros area, while maintaining traffic flow. Among other things, the bridge spanning Szerémi Road and tram line 1 has been completed. Work has also begun on the Gubacsi Road bridge. During the project, experts will carry out bridge shifting 12 more times. At this stage, two new railway stops will be built in the Közvágóhíd and Nádorkert areas, connecting three metro lines to the public transport network.

The contractor may be selected in mid-February

The announcement published recently covers phase III of the project, which involves developments on the Pest side. The successful bidder will have 44 months to complete the following tasks:

• Preparation of implementation plans for railway capacity development on a 3.9 km section of railway line No. 1 in the Ferencváros station area.
• station reconstruction
• track dismantling over a 11.8 km section
• track construction, including the necessary earthworks, over a length of 13.2 km
• Breakdown of 66 groups and construction of 93 groups
• Construction of a new stop at Népliget
• construction of an overhead line system with a length of 51.4 km
• installation of alternating heating and fuse system
• Reconstruction of existing railway bridges on Üllői út and construction of pedestrian underpasses (at several locations)
• Construction of a 73.6-metre-long railway bridge with a clear span in the Ferencváros district
• Construction of a new railway bridge with a clear span of 46.6 metres over Gubacsi Road

The date for opening the tenders has been set for 16 February 2026.