Vitzey noted that Janos Lazar, the head of the transportation portfolio under the former Fidesz-KDNP government, had decided to raise the advance payment rate for the project from 20pc to 98pc just two days ahead of the election in April.

Vitezy said the government was also seeking to recover HUF 76bn in additional costs related to a decision taken by Lazar to build a 20km expressway connecting to the bridge, even though traffic volume was not expected to require the link for 25 years or more.

He called the bridge project a "typical NER story", using a Hungarian acronym referring to companies that benefitted from big state contracts under the Fidesz-KDNP government: "All other interests superseded those of the public".

He added that the government would not shelve the bridge project as it could not be reversed.

In a separate statement on Monday, Duna Aszfalt confirmed it would refund the advance payment and said future payments for the project would take place on a monthly basis, linked to milestones.

Earlier:

The total cost of the Danube bridge project at Mohács has reached Ft 451 billion, due to an unjustified double-lane design for the bridge and associated road network, Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy said.

In a statement posted on YouTube, Vitézy said the project remains justified on regional connectivity grounds, but added that its technical scope and financing structure raise serious concerns.

He noted that Ft 155.8 billion has already been paid in advance to contractor Duna Aszfalt, including a Ft 94.3 billion transfer two days before the parliamentary elections.

The ministry is now examining whether part of the pre-financing can be recovered for the state budget.


Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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MTI Stock Photo

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