Huge traffic changes coming to Budapest: Flórián Square flyover renovation kicks off!
The renovation of the Flórián Square flyover is finally underway after years of delay, although the vision for the renovation was conceived in 2019 through community planning.
The structure, which connects Árpád Bridge to Szentendrei Street, was deteriorating: the concrete structures were soaking and cracking, and the rusting steel inserts were increasing the risk of accidents. According to Index, after years of finger-pointing between the municipalities and the capital, an agreement was finally reached in December 2024 to renovate the Flórián Square bridge.
The end of a long-drawn-out problem
The Flórián Square flyover is a key element of traffic flow between Árpád Bridge and Szentendrei Street, serving tens of thousands of cars and public transport users every day. The structure was built in the 1980s and has undergone only minor maintenance work since then, while weather and constant stress have increasingly weakened the structure. In recent years, the concrete pavement has begun to crack, some elements of the structure have rusted due to poor drainage, and in some places, concrete chips have fallen on vehicles and pedestrians passing underneath.
A comprehensive reconstruction of the flyover was considered as early as 2019, and community planning programmes were launched to consult local residents on possible solutions. However, the project did not move forward for many years, partly due to funding difficulties and partly due to political disputes between municipalities.
The management of the III District has repeatedly indicated that the condition of the flyover is critical and that urgent intervention is needed, but the municipality has been unable to provide funding for the works in recent years. The situation finally changed at the end of 2024 when the capital was finally able to raise the necessary funds for the reconstruction from money recovered in a lawsuit.
What kind of works can be expected?
Specialists will carry out a complete renovation: the road will be resurfaced, defects in the reinforced concrete slabs will be repaired, and new insulation will be installed to stop water leaks. New expansion joints will be installed at the ends of the Flórián Square bridges, the railings will be replaced, and the drainage system will be upgraded. The works are expected to take a year and will be carried out in stages.
The renovation is being financed by the Municipality of Budapest, which has earmarked a total of HUF 3 billion (EUR 7.52 million) for the project. Of this amount, HUF 2.1 billion (EUR 5.27 million) will go to the contractor, KM Építő Ltd. Part of the money comes from funds recovered in a long-running court case and returned to the capital’s coffers after the scandals surrounding the electronic ticketing system.
What should Budapest prepare for?
The closure of the Flórián Square flyover will be carried out in two phases: first, the southern structure will be renovated, followed by the northern structure in the autumn. The biggest change for motorists will be a new two-lane reversing lane from Szentendrei Street to Pest. However, severe congestion is expected, and drivers should look for alternative routes, such as the Megyeri Bridge. To ease traffic congestion, the capital recommends that those who can should use public transport, as car travel will be significantly slower.
BKK is trying to reduce car traffic by increasing the frequency of tram line 1, which has a high capacity and avoids the worst congestion. However, according to Dávid Vitézy, leader of the Podmaniczky Movement, this is not enough, and he calls for bus lines 34 and 106 to be made more frequent, as they are already congested.
The transport committee finally accepted the proposal, so BKK will introduce extra services to make public transport a more attractive alternative to driving for passengers coming from the Buda conurbation.
Trams 1 and 1A will continue to run under the Flórián Square flyover, so for those coming from North Buda or the city centre, this may be the most obvious choice. The H5 HÉV can also be a good alternative, as it connects to the M2 metro at Batthyány Square and to trams 4 and 6 at Margaret Bridge. Cyclists will be less affected by the renovation, as the Flórián Square cycle path will remain passable. BKK is also installing two new Mol Bubi stations in the area to encourage the use of sustainable transport.
The reason behind the wait
The renovation of the Flórián Square flyover has been justified for years, yet the decision has been delayed for a long time. The capital attributed the delay to a lack of funds, while the municipality of Óbuda blamed the Municipality of Budapest. However, the need for renovation was indisputable, as the condition of the structures was deteriorating, and falling concrete was endangering pedestrians below.
Although the works will cause serious temporary disruption to traffic, they are necessary and justified in the long term. The renovation of long-neglected elements of Budapest’s transport system is inevitable, and the Flórián Square project is just another step in this process.
So, over the next year, everyone—whether motorists, public transport users, or cyclists—should be prepared for the changes. While congestion and longer journey times are inevitable, it is hoped that the works will result in a more modern and safer transport hub that will serve the long-term interests of the city’s residents.
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