Reconstruction of the M1 motorway’s carriageway towards Győr can begin under the new traffic arrangements

Work on the M1-es autópálya project has progressed over the past two weeks with road, water, bridge, civil engineering and utility works, according to the latest post by MKIF.

The carriageway on the side heading towards Győr is being completely dismantled 

According to information from Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt., the next major phase of the development is the complete structural renewal of the track. On the side of the track heading towards the capital, which has already been widened, the new 2+2 traffic configuration due to be introduced this autumn will allow the side of the track heading towards Győr to be excavated to a depth of 100–120 centimetres once traffic has been diverted.
Work will then continue with the construction of a new, high-load-bearing, dynamic road structure. According to information from MKIF, this will involve an asphalt layer on the widened motorway that is one and a half times thicker than before – 32 cm instead of 21 cm.

Drone footage of the work taking place on the Bicske–Tatabánya section

This aerial view shows the progress of the works between Bicske and Tatabánya, at kilometre markers 42–56. Over the past few weeks and months, a number of interlinked work processes have been taking place on this section. As part of the track-widening and earthworks, the necessary embankment widening, earthworks and track-structure works are laying the foundations for the wider motorway. The reconstruction or rebuilding of existing bridges and flyovers is essential for the creation of the new carriageway cross-section. New bridge structures have already been built in the Nagyegyháza, Óbarok and Tatabánya areas.

As part of the reconstruction of the Óbarok junction, two new roundabouts will be built, whilst the associated utility and roadworks will also be carried out.
The temporary traffic arrangements, service access points, concrete barriers and emergency lay-bys are designed to ensure safe access to the worksites and to maintain traffic flow.

Construction has been underway for just over a year

Preparatory work for the M1-es autópálya extension began in autumn 2024, whilst the actual widening of the main line commenced in September 2025. Over the past year of the project, specialists have moved 3 million tonnes – or 1.6 million cubic metres – of material on the sections currently under extension. With that amount of earth and fill material, 210 football pitches could be covered to a depth of 1 metre.

The motorway is to be extended by 78 kilometres

The M1-es autópálya project covers the entire 78-kilometre section between M0 and the Concó service area. Three traffic lanes will be provided in each direction, along with one so-called ‘intelligent hard shoulder’ (ITS) in each direction, which can be used as a full-fledged traffic lane.

One of the greatest technical challenges of the project is the need to maintain a continuous flow of traffic on the motorway whilst the works are in progress. The construction is taking place in several phases, with temporary traffic diversions, whilst ensuring that two lanes remain open in each direction throughout.

During the expansion:

• Four new grade-separated junctions are to be built,
• 11 existing junctions are to be modernised,
• 72 existing underpasses and overpasses are being upgraded to meet the new cross-sectional requirements.

The project involves the reconstruction of six complex service areas, whilst the remaining service areas will be expanded and modernised. Around 300 new lorry parking spaces will be created, and family-friendly improvements to the service areas will also be completed. The engineering depots in Bicske and Komárom will be modernised. Seven multi-level junctions will be converted into modern roundabouts.
The planned completion date for the development phase between the Bicske and Concó service areas is 31 August 2029. The section between the M0 and Bicske is due to be completed on 31 August 2028.