THE KÁLVIN TÉR STATION OF METRO LINE M4 RECEIVES ITS COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

The National Transport Authority has issued the completion certificate for the Kálvin tér station of Metro Line M4. After the integration tests, other necessary permits by the various competent authorities and the successful on-site inspection, which the NKH resolution now confirms, this station with a transfer to Line M3 is also ready for the Test in Traffic Operation scheduled to begin at the end of March 2014.

Kálvin tér is the southern gate of the City Centre, this is where lines M3 and M4 intersect, and the transfer point provides fast connections to the South Buda, North Pest and South Pest parts of Budapest. The subway system and the surface of the stations were refurbished and renewed in the framework of the project. Crossing the M3 line, the M4 running tunnels were built above, which was one of the greatest engineering challenges in the project. Not only did the closeness of the surrounding buildings make construction work difficult – indeed the foundations of the Reformed Church in the square had to reinforced – but the box structure had to be built in one of the busiest traffic junctions of the city while only limiting, not closing traffic.

The full length of the M4 station is 83 metres, the platform level is 22 metres below ground level, with 6 sets of escalators and 2 lifts connecting to the subway. Apart from this, a shaft decorated with bent glass panes and 4 sets of escalators leads down below to the M3 station, providing swift transfer to the other line. One noteworthy piece of decoration in the M4 station is a glass mosaic representing the raster graphic image of the scores and text of Psalmus Hungaricus by Zoltán Kodály. The beam structure of the station is also special, which will be lit by spot lights after handing over. Fair face concrete surfaces dominate this station a well, and the lighting of the mirrors attached to the roof slab makes the station have a rather unique atmosphere.

Mayor’s Office of the Municipality of Budapest
Budapest Transport Centre (BKK)
BKV Zrt. DBR Metro Project Directorate

Photos by Anna Váczi and Péter Maróti