Seven decades after the completion of the Esztergom flood protection system, construction has now started

The Country Water Directorate General (OVF) has started the first phase of the new dam system protecting Esztergom, which will include the construction of one and a half kilometres of flood protection on the island of Prímás, the organisation said on 23 February. A

a parapet wall and a mobile flood protection wall along the Great Danube promenade in the more urban areas of the island, and a structural flood protection embankment in the more natural areas will protect the city from the floodwaters flowing down the Danube.

For the first phase of the works, between the Maria Valeria Bridge and the ramp to Prímás Island, the government has earmarked HUF 13.8 billion in its decision. To compensate for the necessary tree felling in the area, 1.1 hectares of new forest will be planted, 11 hectares of habitat will be restored and 3 hectares will be used to control invasive plant species.

A flood gate will be built in the future

The OVF said that the contract for the design of Phase II of the development was also signed in September 2023. The aim of the later phase is to connect the new protection line to the existing flood protection embankment and to protect the Primate's Palace and Elisabeth Park.

According to the plans under preparation, the protection line will include a dike and a flood gate at the crossing of the Prímás Island branch of the Danube, protecting the areas behind the newly built dam from flooding.

Phase II will include the construction of the Primate's Palace's seepage system, as well as several urban development elements. The works will be carried out on the basis of a consortium between the municipality of Esztergom and the North Transdanubian Water Directorate, under the leadership of the National Water Directorate.

The flood protection system was built more than a century ago

The structures that define the flood protection of Esztergom today were built in the 1910s, the last improvements were made in the 1960s, and since then there have been several episodes of flooding at higher and higher levels. The current protection line no longer meets the height requirements for the safe discharge of major floods, and no further embankment development is possible on the original track," the state water authority said, explaining the reasons for the development.