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Chain Bridge Now Closed For Traffic

• 17 Jun 2021 6:11 AM
• Hungary Matters

The iconic Chain Bridge in downtown Budapest is now closed for traffic due to renovation works scheduled to last for 18 months. Public transport services using the landmark bridge will be rerouted.

According to earlier information from Budapest public transport company BKK, vehicular traffic could restart in December 2022, while pedestrians would only be allowed back on the bridge when the renovation project is complete, in August 2023.

Refurbishment of the bridge will include reconstruction of the central lanes and the pavements, repairs to the steel structures and rails, re-insulation of the chain-chambers and ensuring protection against their being flooded.

The bridge’s iconic lion statues will also be restored and the whole structure will be equipped with a new LED lighting system.

Second phase of Chain Bridge reconstruction gets under way

The second phase of the reconstruction on Budapest’s Chain Bridge has started despite the hit the city’s revenues have taken from the coronavirus epidemic and government austerity, Mayor Gergely Karácsony said.

Karácsony told a press conference held at the bridge that the government support for the works has yet to arrive. He called on “all political players to stop trying to turn public opinion against the investment even if they cannot help.”

The bridge will be ready by the 150th anniversary of the unification of Pest, Buda and Óbuda into Budapest in August 2023, Karácsony said.

The 26.5 billion forint (EUR 75.4m) refurbishment will include reconstruction of the central lanes and the pavements, repairs to the steel structures and rails, re-insulation of the chain-chambers and ensuring protection against flooding.


MTI Photo: Márton Mónus

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