THROUGH OPEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE DBR IS LOOKING FOR A NEW PR AGENCY – ITS TASKS WILL INCLUDE FULFILLING COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

DBR issued a new open public procurement procedure for the provision of communication and public relations tasks in relation with the construction of metro 4. A year ago DBR informed the public that for the implementation of communication tasks of the European Union the company plans to amend the contract ending this year and increase the budget against the project's reserve. In the meantime, however, it became clear that the handover of the first section would occur at least two years later than planned, so a new contract is needed, and the competition law of the European Union - as the PR contract is part of the package supported - would rather prefer open competition. The contract of support and the associated agreements specify elements of the communication obligation in detail. Realization of these would be the primary task of the new PR agency over the next three years. The announcement has been issued in the official journal of the European Union today.

MIND THE GAP! IN METRO 4

The Tétényi Road station of metro 4 was the venue of a unique cultural event with the title of "Mind the Gap!" on the evening of May 14th. Now DBR Metro Project Directorate provided only the special location, even though the event is part of the series of cultural events of the metro builders began last year.

ON BOTH VENUES THE GROUPS OF THE M4 OPEN DAY ARE FILLED – DBR IS WAITING THOSE WHO COULD NOT GET PLACE IN THE GROUPS FOR THE THETRE PLAY AND THE CONCERT

By Friday morning all groups of the M4 open day were filled on both venues, the interest exceeded the usual scale of last years. On Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm in the frame of the Urbitális Picnic the site visits will be continuous to both the Móricz Zsigmond circus and the Keleti pályaudvar stations – complying with all the safety requirements – DBR will provide professional guidance for groups of 10 people departing in every 10 minutes. Places are filled also for the Gomba-exhibition and the subsequent presentations beginning at 9 am in Újbuda, but the exhibition may be viewed throughout the day. The organizers are waiting those also who could not get a place in the registered groups for the evening's charity programs: for the irregular show of the Vígszínház starting at 5 pm and for the concert of the Kis Kretív Band of 7 pm.

THIS YEAR AGAIN METRO DOORS OPEN FOR THE RESIDENTS – EXHIBITIONS, CHARITY THEATRE PLAYS AND CONCERTS ARE AWAITING VISITORS

DBR Metro Project Directorate organizes an open day combined with unique cultural events on 2nd May 2010, i.e. for this Sunday. The whole day event will start with a special exhibition in the morning, and continue with professional presentations, and then this year the metro doors open before the residents at two stations under construction. Finally the evening will have a casual atmosphere, as the visitors may participate in an unordinary charity theatre play and a charity concert, at an extreme venue, more than 20 m deep. DBR and the organizers’ team are waiting for everyone with the programs from 9 am to 9 pm.

DBR HAS WON LAWSUITS AGINST BLIKK

First instance the Municipal Court upheld the DBR Metro Project Directorate’s action and ordered the tabloid newspaper of Blikk for corrections with reference of three articles. DBR regrets that it had to turn to court with these issues, but unfortunately in recent weeks the newspaper posted factual errors in almost all of its articles on the metro 4 project despite the fact that DBR provides prompt and open communication on all issues – including negative events as well.
Budapest, 22nd April 2010

DURING THE NIGHT THE EXPERTS FIXED THE HOLE OCCURRED ON THE TUNNEL – THE CONCERNED AREA IS KEPT UNDER ICREASED MONITORING

There will be post-works, but during the night in operation stop the experts repaired the hole occurred on the wall of metro 2 and stopped the ground water seepage, so this dawn trains could start and run with no speed restriction. Cause of the technical problem is being investigated by the DBR Metro Project Directorate. The tunnel borers will likely pass under the overpass in one and a half months, the technical problem occurred during the preparatory works. The temporary disturbance does not concern the metro construction.

NORTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 REACHED NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET AS WELL – FOLLOWING MAINTENANCE TUNNEL WORKS MAY CONTINUE WITH THE LAST SECTION

This morning the north TBM of metro 4 arrived to the Népszínház Street station also, its south pair broke through the stop’s wall on 12th April. The second last tunnel section of some 450 meters has been built with no problems so far. Following the maintenance as usual at this time, machines may likely proceed in the first half of May towards the last, Keleti pályaudvar station. If everything goes by the plans and BAMCO can keep up this pace, then the tunnel works may end over the first section of the metro sometime in the second half of June.

QUICK NEWS

At Baross Square during the strengthening of the pillar of the Rottenbiller Road overpass one of the subcontractors of BAMCO damaged the wall of one of the metro 2 tunnels during pile boring. These works are part of the preparatory works to the TBM’s passing later. DBR’s responsible engineer is at the site, has suspended works and inspects the scale of the damage. No personal injury occurred, there is no life threatening risk, however the engineer assesses whether the damage can be fixed with maintaining traffic on metro line 2.

QUICK NEWS

DBR’s responsible engineer inspects the tunnel of metro 2 on site. There is no need to stop the metro, the 10x10 cm hole occurred on the side wall of the tunnel does not call for emergency, some ground water seepage is noted, but only speed restriction shall be expected on the line. The hole occurred will be repaired by the experts at night, during operation stop, the situation does not mean further hazard and does not concern the progress of metro construction.

SOUTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 ALREADY ARRIVED TO NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET – IT MAY REACH KELETI RAILWAY STATION BY MID JUNE

South TBM of metro 4 made it one week earlier than planned to the second last, Népszínház Street station. Instead of the previously predicted preparation of six weeks the tunnel builder plans only two to three weeks of maintenance period at the station, so at the end of April the tunnel borer may commence the works of the last section. If everything goes by the plans and BAMCO can keep up this pace, then the south TBM may reach the first section's temporary, Keleti pályaudvar end station even at the middle of June

THE SUPPORT FOR METRO 4 REMAINS HIGH – FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN BUDAPEST IT IS STILL IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW METRO LINES ARE CONSTRUCTED

The support for the underground construction remains high

The most recent representative survey data has not changed significantly, it remains near 80% the proportion of those who believe that the metro construction is important or essential. The public clearly expects and supports the Metro 4.

DBR HAS FOUND A SOLUTION: WILL NOT STOP THE BUILDING FROM APRIL – THE CLIENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENGINEERING TASKS

The DBR Metro Project Directorate temporarily take over the Metro 4 FIDIC -operating- engineering functions from Eurometro until a decision on the long-term solution is found. Under a proposal, the DBR would use their own employed engineers from the previous organization, who were taking care of the main tasks of the construction at the different locations, and would tender to fill up the missing personnel. This is a more cost-effective solution rather than the proposed changes to the contract, and could provide the continuality of the work safety and quality control, and the contracts would be fulfilled as well. The former engineer organization was also an independent engineering, since it has been pursuant to the declaration of EU payments. This temporary role of the independent engineering would be taken over by that financial company, which is currently on a similar task for the BKV Supervisory Committee. The possibility of reinforcements and its budget to cover was voted today by the Municipal Assembly, but the construction is still subject to approval by the National Development Agency.

THE SOUTH TUNNEL BORER WAS LAUNCHED TO THE SECOND LAST STATION – EXPECTED TO BE AT NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET IN THE SECOND HALF OF APRIL

After the preliminary work over the weekend, this morning the Metro 4 south TBM shield was launched towards the Népszínház street, and in two weeks will be followed by the northern counterpart. With only two remaining distance, and it will end the first section of the tunnel, therefore, now have a longer and more thorough maintenance for the shields. It is planned that six weeks later, so sometime at the second half of April the Népszínház street station will be reached.

THE METRO 4 CONSTRUCTION COULD BE LEFT WITHOUT AN ENGINEER – BKV, BUDAPEST AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS TOGETH

The contract for the Eurometro Ltd. expires in 2012, but given that the deadline for the contract was mid-2010 at 2006, the financial allocation for the first phase will run out at the end of March. The problem is not to finance the project, but the run out of the contract, so the DBR tried to amend it.

THE KDB DISMISSED THE DBR INITIATIVE TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT - THE METRO BUILDER IS SEEKING THE LEGAL OPTIONS

In its decision the Public Procurement Arbitration is rejected the submissions of the DBR Metro Project Directorate amending of the contract of the Eurometro LTD. FIDIC engineering and the contracting authority was fined for HUF 5 million, and a public procurement procedure was required. DBR is examining the possibility of an appeal against the decision.

NEW INCORRECT ALLEGATIONS WORDED BY BLIKK

Under its article on the metro 4 project issued today with the title of "So the metro money was drained" the tabloid newspaper of Blikk is trying to suggest that in mysterious circumstances the newspaper has taken possession of an also mysterious “consulting" contract of nearly 9 billion forints value, in addition contracts were signed as though "contractors are dictating", moreover there is no supervising engineer to the project either. In the title of the article the newspaper judges instead of the authorities, and practically slanders the leaders of the metro construction with corruption.

NORTH TUNNEL BORER ALSO REACHED RÁKÓCZI SQUARE – PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT SECTION IS UNDERWAY

SOUTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 ARRIVED TO RÁKÓCZI SQUARE – THE RENEWED TUNNELING TEAM HAS BROKEN A RECORD AGAIN

South TBM of metro 4 has arrived to the Rákóczi Square station and likely its north pair will arrive by the end of January also. Professionals of the STRABAG led BAMCO, proceeding with a very good average pace again, have completed the more than 700 m long tunnel stretch from Kálvin Square to Rákóczi Square within one and a half months. The TBM travelled an average of 15 meters per day, which is considered an outstanding performance in the ground of the Pest side, and even there was a section where 31 tunnel segments, i.e. more then 45 m of tunnel was built by the two boring machines in a single day.

ON THE BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEERS’ PROFESSIONAL DAY THE METRO WAS VISITED ALSO – JAZZ CONCERT CLOSED THE CULTURAL EVENT SERIES OF DBR THIS YEAR

The Coordination Association of Hungarian Building Services Engineers has organized the Day of Hungarian Building Services Engineers the 14th times this year. In the frame of the event besides the professional conferences, awards ceremonies and building services engineering professional exhibition, this year not only the traditional Building Services Engineers’ Ball provided an opportunity for cultural relaxation, since yesterday after the presentation on the building services engineering curiosities of metro 4 the invitees could also take part in an unordinary jazz concert organized with the support of the Buderus Hungária Kft. at the Móricz Zsigmond circus station, which is now structurally completed.

THE M4 SANTA CLAUS WILL COME TO VISIT TWO BUSY LOCATIONS THIS YEAR AS WELL - HE WILL GIVE CANDY TO CHILDREN AND POSTCARDS TO THEIR PARENTS

Santa is dressing green again in Budapest. The Santa of metro 4 will surprise the pedestrians with little gifts at two busy locations, the Móricz Zsigmond circus and the Kálvin Square, from 7 am to 10 am, and from 3 pm to 6 pm. With regard to the approaching weekend the kids may meet him today, i.e. on Friday.

IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS METRO 4 IS MEDIUM PRICED - ITS BUDGET INCREASED DUE TO WELL KNOWN ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

Over the last year several such international examples of metro constructions appeared in the national press, which were false, based on incorrect data and lacking actual technical parameters. The DBR Metro Project Directorate has in all cases responded to these press news that were misleading the Hungarian citizens, despite of this the public awareness noted only that the Budapest metro construction is more expensive, than any similar foreign investment, and its budget is unrealistically high, and even tripled in recent years. Contrary to all these – as the DBR has already drawn attention several times to that – in international relations in terms of the average price the metro 4 project, as proceeding under a completely built area, deeply driven, being built a little more than 3 years in very adverse ground conditions, is not the cheapest, but belongs to the middle field, and its budget has increased in the past 10 years primarily due to the involved associated projects.

BORING MACHINES OF METRO 4 ARE WORKING ON A SECTION WITH FULL OF CHALLENGES

South TBM of metro 4 could be launched towards Rákóczi Square three weeks ahead of schedule, and it now passed the line of the tunnels of metro 3, and its north pair will embark soon as well. The length between Fővám Square and Kálvin Square has been completed with the best pace up to date, and for the twice as long current section the experts plan only eight weeks either. Of course, provided they don’t have to face unexpected difficulties. In any case, it is not going to be an easy section: in addition to the crossing tunnels, diverse ground conditions should be expected, and some old buildings will require special attention, as well.

VIENNA METRO IS NOT CHEAPER THAN THE BUDAPEST ONE – CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF METRO 4 FALL IN THE INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE FIELD

From time to time, the press posts news about sensationally cheap foreign metro constructions, which cost only a fraction of the Budapest metro 4 investment. The DBR Metro Project Directorate attends to all these news, and up to date in all these cases it turned out that the numbers referenced under the examples are incorrect. Unfortunately for most of the time, until we obtain the appropriate, credible information, the incorrect statement has already spread all over the press, and it is almost impossible to refute. We would like to prevent a similar case through our statement as follows.

THE UNDERPASS AND THE TRAM STOP AT FŐVÁM SQUARE IS HANDED OVER, SO AS OF SATURDAY MORING TRAM No2 CAN TRAVEL OVER THE WHOLE LINE AGAIN

Residents of Budapest could take over the pedestrian underpass at Fővám Square, which was built in one and a half years in the frame of the surface projects associated with metro 4. The spacious and modern underpass, which also includes the new stop of tram No 2, was handed over for the passengers on Friday afternoon by Gábor Demszky, the Mayor of Budapest and Gusztáv Klados, the Project Director of DBR. Rehabilitation of the Vámház boulevard was completed by the beginning of this week, another traffic lane could be opened at Kálvin Square, and motorist and cyclist can use the Múzeum boulevard again, as well. The metro project has arrived to an important milestone, by the narrowing of work sites and good progress of surface works the metro builders are hoping that the days of those living and travelling in the environment of the construction would become easier.

IMPORTANT MILESTONES ON THE SURFACE AS WELL: THE VÁMHÁZ BOULEVARD IS COMPLETED, SO AS THE NEW LANE AT KÁLVIN SQUARE AND PARTIALLY THE MÚZEUM BOULEVARD

In connection with the surface works of the metro project until now mostly closures and traffic restrictions may have been heard of. From now on, however, more and more associated surface projects will be completed, and respectively where it is possible – despite of the extended tunneling works, simultaneously with the progress of station building works – the narrowing down of the work sites may commence. In the frame of the associated surface projects of metro 4 the reconstruction of the tram track on Kiskörút ended last December, and by today the rehabilitation of the Vámház Boulevard is completed, a new traffic lane could be opened at Kálvin Square and the motorists and cyclist may drive on both sides of the partially renewed Múzeum Boulevard again.

SOUTH TUNNEL BORER ARRIVED TO KÁLVIN SQUARE

The south TBM of metro 4 has reached Kálvin Square in one month, and its north pair will arrive to the station at the end of October. In the frame of a several month negotiation series on the program of the tunnel works BAMCO consortium now led by STRABAG has submitted the works program for the finishing of the Pest side tunnel section. According to the document the consortium can build the tunnel section between Fővám Square and Baross Square in about 50 weeks instead of the originally undertaken 22 weeks, in other words it takes more than double time. DBR is forced to note the announcement, but cannot accept it, thus all additional costs arising from the delay due to the extended tunneling works will be devolved on BAMCO consortium. In the last couple of days DBR's programming team has incorporated the new works program into the overall project program, and with consideration of the contractor's accumulated delays at the Buda side also the operation test originally planned in the last quarter of 2011 now may realistically be due 10 months later, in the autumn of 2012 only. The negotiations will continue, of course.

ARTSTATION: THE TUNING HAS BEGUN

ALL DAY UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL AT THE NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET STATION

DBR’s cultural series of events of this year has arrived to its last stage: with the name of ArtStation the Suppré/Neopaint.hu is organizing an all day street art festival at the metro 4 Népszínház Street station built by the consortium comprising Bilfinger, Porr and Vegyépszer on Saturday this week.

HERE IS THE FIRST WORK SITE HANDED BACK TO CITY RESIDENTS

This morning the metro builders handed over to the children of District 11 that modern playground, which was refurbished in the framework of surface projects in relation to the construction of metro 4. On the event Imre Lakos, chairman of the Committee of Urban and Environmental Management of Budapest, Gyula Molnár, mayor of Újbuda, and Gusztáv Klados, project director of DBR were also present. However, the light is not seen at the end of the tunnel yet, but after those closures the time of handing back areas may begin.

ABOUT THE ROLE OF GUSZTÁV KLADOS

Gusztáv Klados has worked on the constructions of metros 2 and 3 of Budapest, and then in Calcutta at the metro construction there, and later as a chief building manager at the construction of the Channel Tunnel beneath the English Channel between England and France. Subsequently, he worked as a building manager in Lesotho, South Africa, where he was building a section of the northern water transport tunnel, and then he acted as the chief building manager for the metro lines 2 and 3 of Athens. From here he went to Singapore, where he directed the works of the deep tunnel sewerage system. For five years he was the senior project manager of the gigantic Smart Tunnel of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, and then after an airport express metro as a short detour in New Delhi he returns home to Hungary in June 2008.

SOUTH TUNNEL BORER OF METRO 4 EMBARKED TOWARDS KÁLVIN SQUARE

South TBM of metro 4 left Fővám Square station this morning and according to plans can arrive to Kalvin Square by the middle of October, while its north pair will follow it in two weeks. Simultaneously with the several weeks of maintenance the tunnel builder moved its TBM servicing equipment to St. Gellért Square, so the logistics headquarters of the construction of Pest side tunnels will be here from now, up until the boring machines reach Baross Square next year.

KARST-WATERS OF GELLÉRT SQUARE WERE PRESERVED BY THE METRO BUILDERS – THE NEW METRO WILL BE GREEN NOT ONLY IN COLOR

The metro construction is a European standard project in terms of environment protection also. Key aspects are among others the protection of the karst-waters of Gellért square as well as that no protected trees should be removed for the project. It is rare even in international relations that during a metro construction as much money and energy are devoted by the builders to environment protection as for metro 4.

BOTH METRO TUNNELS ARE COMPLETED UNDER THE DANUBE

The north tunnel boring machine also reached the Fővám square station at noon today, by this the construction of both tunnels are finished across the three hundred meters stretch of the metro line under the Danube. A few decades ago it still took nearly a year for the metro builders to make their way through under the river. Today it was possible in hardly more than a month, moreover without difficulties, which is a remarkable professional achievement. While the north TBM was going through the final centimeters, amid the grandiose rings of the south tunnel the building managers, and the representatives of organizations and municipalities concerned by the project as well as the press were first to walk through from Buda to Pest more than 30 meters deep under the riverbed.
On the event arising great interest, besides Mr. Imre Ikvai-Szabó, Head Mayor Deputy, and Mr. László Becker, Metro Officer, being present on behalf of the host Metropolitan Municipality, two State Secretaries of the Ministry of National Development and Economy, Mr. László Varju and Mr. Sándor Burány were also present. As expressing completion of the Buda side tunnel construction and proceeding at the Pest side Mr. Imre Lakos, Deputy Mayor of Újbuda symbolically handed over the baton to Mr. Ferenc Gegesy, Mayor of Ferencváros, and finally Mr. Gusztáv Klados, Project Director of DBR and Mr. Christian Genschel, Project Manager of BAMCO, gave a professional report on the actual status of the project.

FOUNDATION STONE OF THE KELENFÖLD VEHICLE DEPOT OF METRO 4 IS PLACED

THE GROUP OF BUILDINGS WITH A FLOOR AREA OF NEARLY 20,000 M2 WILL BE BUILT FOR TWO YEARS
Construction works of the Kelenföld vehicle depot of metro 4 are commenced: the investor DBR and the contractor Swietelsky together laid the symbolic foundation stone of the large area building group this morning. The eminently modern facility, which includes the dispatcher centre of the metro line also, will be completed in two years and its main task will be to provide overall service to metro 4.

Comments on the VEKE writing of “Analysis of the additional sections of metro line 4”

The above writing was posted on the website of VEKE (Urban and Suburban Transportation Association) on 6th July, when it was made public that the bringing forward of the Flower market extension and postponing of the two stations of the Thököly road section of metro 4 are investigated.
Briefly we describe the advantages, which are resultant of the earlier handover of the west extension (section III.).

NORTH TUNNELING SHIELD IS LAUNCHED ON ITS WAY UNDER THE DANUBE AS WELL

Monday afternoon the north TBM of metro 4 was also able to set off from Szent Gellért square on its way under the Danube towards the Pest side, to where its south pair had arrived exactly a week ago. Prepared for the specific soil conditions under the river the professionals carried along a special instrument brought from Hamburg on the plant, it allows almost instant cleaning of the cutting shield in case clay gets stuck on it.
Tunnel boring machines used for metro 4 are one of the most state-of-the-art plants of the world, they could be continuously adjusted by the professionals to the actual soil conditions, but unexpected events may still occur. Recently it took almost one and a half weeks for the experts of the tunnel building company to clean under caisson pressure the TBM’s cutting shield from the stuck clay. As necessary the instrument used now will be able to reduce the time for this cleaning process to two to three days only.

SOUTH BORING SHIELD OF METRO 4 REACHED THE PEST SIDE

Within six weeks, following a short changeover, but without major technical difficulties, the south TBM of metro 4 made its way through to the Pest side. At the Fővám square station the platform tunnels towards the river bed were already finished in April, thus the station could receive the plant smoothly. Its north pair can also set off on the three hundred meter long stretch under the river in a few days, and once it arrives, it will become apparent how the Contractor will be able to program the pest side tunnel building.
After a maintenance period the south TBM that just broke in was able to start the construction of the section under the Danube – planned to last for 4 to 6 weeks then – at the 18th of May. Working under the river is always a greater challenge than usual, but it confirms the accuracy of the preliminary soil investigations that the tunneling work could proceed nearly with the same pace and safety here too, than in normal conditions and under built-up surface. There were only a short section whereat clay stuck into the cutting shield of the TBM, but the professionals finished with cleaning in a few days.

A HUNGARIAN ROCK BAND, AMNESZTIA, TOOK OVER METRO 4 YESTERDAY

Metro 4 as being constructed accommodated another concert on Friday, 26th June: this time the rock band Amnesztia choose an unusual venue to its second album release concert. At the Népszínház street station the “platform rock” was pounding nearly 20 meters deep underground with Tamás Takáts guest starring.
A real “underground” feeling welcomed the visitors coming to the concert of Amnesztia at Friday night in the metro 4 Népszínház street station built by Bilfinger Berger, Porr and Vegyépszer, where the modern rock music got the main role following the concert of Keep Floyding at Rákóczi square reminiscent of the atmosphere of the 70's. To the Amnesztia’s own organized event the DBR Metro Project Directorate and the Contractor were pleased to provide the grandiose scene for the band to present its second album “Without fear” in real extreme circumstances.

TBM IS BORING AGAIN UNDER THE DANUBE

This morning the south TBM was launched again under the Danube. Problems causing the south TBM to stop last week were eliminated by the experts of the tunnel building company; they cleaned the TBM’s cutting shield from the material stuck to it under caisson pressure, and proceed with excavation of the cohesive clay material with injecting a special diluting agent, thus tunnel building under the Danube can continue safely. Ideally the tunnel can reach the Fővám Square station next week.
The tunnel building machine of metro 4 is one of the most state-of-the-art methodology options used on the World now, which allows the experts to continuously adjust the machine to the extremely diverse soil conditions under Budapest. Such necessary technical breaks can occur in the future as well.

LAST HUNDRED METERS OF THE SECTION UNDER THE DANUBE WILL BE HARDER THAN THE PREVIOUS PART

As closing to the Pest side the south TBM of metro 4 has got into a fault zone and it has to work now in clay with a consistency different than that of the previous part, and the TBM has to be adjusted to the new condition. At the construction of the Buda side after leaving Szent Gellért Square there was a short section under the Danube with similar consistency clay, and the TBM was able to proceed with works following a cleaning. Likely from tomorrow experts under caisson pressure will clear the cutting shield that withdraws to approximately half meter, now they are being prepared.
Until last Friday the south TBM covered approximately 190 meters of the 300 m stretch under the Danube, then approaching to the Fővám Square station it got into a fault zone, where the different structure clay material likely stuck into the TBM’s cutting shield. In the environment of fault zones the soil conditions are always vary from the average. Situations similar to the one now can occur anytime during a metro construction, the experts are prepared for these; moreover the tunnel building machine of metro 4 is one of the most state-of-the-art methodology options used on the World now, which allows the experts to continuously adjust the machine to the extremely diverse soil conditions under Budapest.

WRITE4GOLD GRAFFITI WORLD COMPETITION IN BUDAPEST THIS YEAR

Ten teams, four categories, one theme and 150 meters of painted surface may be summed up as the final of the Central Europe’s official graffiti world competition held on Saturday that gives home at Népszínház street station of Metro 4 on the board set around the building area. About 60 creators from five countries and hundreds of interested people are expected at this event in name of the legal street art on 6th of June according to NeoPaint.hu. The best graffiti artists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary will compete on Saturday on Köztársaság Square after Rome, Moskow, Liverpool, Vienna, Stettin and Halle regional finals, Budapest organizes the Write4Gold graffiti final of the Central Europe’s world competition in 2009. After the Millenáris Park and the shipyard’s island Mokka Cuka, the organizers had picked up as the place of competition the set of board – the legal graffiti wall handed earlier - around the Népszínház street station built by Bilfinger, Porr and Vegyépszer.

WITH HELMET IN METRO 4

Motorcycle wondering conference was held by Harley Davidson cyclists at the end of May with this inscription “Development of transport in Hungary”. The three days event was opened by fifty motorcycles and there were around one hundred of visitors at the Bocskai road station of metro 4 where they were presented with the history and future of the metro building, and with the technological curiosities.
The “tender motorcyclists” have organized several similar tours home and abroad on interesting subjects, this year’s event is about the railway, shipping, flying and of course about the metro.
The first station of the wondering conference on Friday was the metro 4 and the Bocskai road station where the personnel of the Swietelsky contractor have shown the almost 91% finished station to the visitors after the professional tour, then they walked through the tunnel to Móricz Zsigmond Square with safety escort.

THE BEST TUNNEL BUILDING EXPERTS ARRIVED TO BUDAPEST

About one thousand experts arrived on the weekend to Budapest from 53 countries to the Congress Centre in order to get in known with the Hungarian civil engineering projects and to share the professional experiences among themselves in this year’s Tunnel Building World Congress. The four days Conference has given the possibility to present simultaneously the applied technologies and the methods that facilitate the safety of the tunnels to be built at one section under the Danube and the built-in surface of metro 4.
Hungary was awarded by the World Organization of the professional tunnel building, the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association with the organization law to hold this year the Tunnel Building World Congress. According to Kocsonya Pál information president of the Hungarian Tunnel Building Association and that of the organizational committee of the Congress, the world’s most eminent experts from 53 countries have arrived in Budapest to share their experiences among themselves, and to get in known with the Hungarian tunneling projects – amongst other things the grandiose tunnel system of Bátaapáti, the underground sections of M6 Motorway simultaneously with the tunnels of metro 4. In the life of a two million metropolis, the transport especially, that of the rail mounted transportation system development is inevitable. Due to the high density of building the demand for mitigating the surface load - more present as a trend –has diverted the attention worldwide toward the tunnel building over the last few years.

SERVICING OF THE BORING MACHINE DEPLOYS TO GELLÉRT SQUARE, BUT BUILDING WORKS OF THE EXIT COMMENCE TOO

For the building works of the metro 4 tunnel section under the Danube and at the Pest side, the equipment servicing the TBM will move from Etele Square to Szent Gellért Square, where building of the station and the excavator shaft will continue as well, and building of the exit will commence too. The works will require closure of the Műegyetem quay way from 25th May 2009 to expectedly September 2010. However, the lower quay way will be useable all along during the period of closure.
Works of the Szent Gellért Square station built by BAMCO consortium and utility replacements were completed with the closure of the Műegyetem quay way. Following the completion of the top floor slab in 2007 the upper quay way with 2x1 lanes was handed over to the traffic, but in the summer of 2008 during the eight weeks closure then the building of the excavator shaft progressed significantly. Building works to the excavator shaft and exit of the station are carried out by SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft.. From the surface a wide stairway will lead to the entrance hall of the underpass, and from there the station will be accessible by an excavator. The pedestrian area at the surface will receive decorative paving. Accessibility for handicapped passengers will be provided by the elevators planned next to the fence of the University of Technology. From here the station’s gallery level may be accessed on an ancillary stairway as well, from where the underground garage planned under the Műegyetem quay way will be accessible through a pedestrian passage.

METRO GATES OPENED UP: WE GIVE YOU THE HELMET, YOU BRING YOUR CARDIGAN

This year again Metro 4 joined the “Urbitális Majális” show-series: DBR Metro Project Directorate of BKV Zrt., Strabag and Hídépítő opened up the gates of the constructions at Szent Gellért Square and Fővám Square, where the residents of Budapest guided by professionals were able to view the tunneling shields under the ground by 30 m and from below the Danube river-bed as well as the two deepest and most grandiose stations of the new metro line.
In 30 days nearly 200 cultural programs are awaiting the visitors at the “Urbitális Majális” this year, at the center of which the Danube gets the attention this year, and most of the shows and site visits are located close to or on the river. From 1st to 31st of May the “Big City Festival” allows an insight to the backstage of the big city life this year as well, with helping the people of Budapest to step out of everyday life for some moments and see their city from a completely different angel. The organizers enthused over the success of last year’s event anticipated several ten thousands of visitors to the program series.

THE PICTURE OF M4

About the financing
The overall budget of the first section comprising 10 stations, which relieves the downtown area and connects Kelenföld with Baross Square, i.e. south Buda with north Pest, is equivalent to 353 milliard Forints, which already includes inflation of recent years, associated surface investments, costs for the vehicle depot and trains, and the contingencies from the European Union as well.
Financing is the joint task of the Hungarian State and the city of Budapest with a proportion of 79 and 21%. The Cohesion fund aid request for the project refers to this firs section costing 353 milliard Forints for now. The accountable project cost is 292 milliard Forints, regarding that the aid refers to payments after 20th December 2006 only. Under the aid application the beneficiary city of Budapest requested a maximum amount of 224 milliard Forints from the European.

TUNNEL BORING MACHINES OF METRO 4 SET OFF ON THE WAY UNDER THE DANUBE

This morning the south TBM of metro 4 has started building the tunnel section stretching under the Danube. Expectedly it will work for 4 to 6 weeks under the river, and as soon as it gets over to the Pest side, its north pair will set off too. In the following weeks the equipment servicing the TBM will move from Etele Square to Szent Gellért Square, where in parallel the building works of the station will continue as well, and building of the exit will commence too.
TBM's preparation of several weeks for the stretch under the Danube has ended, which was slowed down by the dispute with the tunnel builder BAMCO consortium so occurred in the meantime. Maintenance of the machines was finished by 18th May following the restart of works, thus the south TBM could set off to one of the most exciting sections of the new metro line. Boring under the river is a bigger challenge than usual, but based on the preliminary soil investigations the tunneling work will proceed with the same pace and safety here too, than in normal conditions and under built-up surface.

RÁKÓCZI SQUARE STATION HAS GIVEN PLACE TO CHARITABLE CONCERT

Unique charitable concert was given more than 20 meters depth under the ground by the Keep Floyding band on Friday evening at the Rákóczi Square station of metro 4 to be built. The initiative was favoured and supported by Swietelsky, DBR and the British band who brought the music into our country and has offered the total amount of money from the ticket income to the disabled Reménysugár band of Dombovár. The total amount of money gathered was 200 thousand Hungarian forints.
The fabulous idea of the concert that was held under extraordinary backstage has arose last autumn when talking about the underground theatre, and when the Tribute band of Budapest was looking for a unique place to the spherical music of the legendary British band for the concert held in spring, the station building project company of the mother company, the Swietelsky Magyarország Kft. claimed to support the initiative at its own expense. The Pink Floyd held its concert in the Pompeii Hall of ruin in the 70s, Keep Floyding did also want to held its concert in a similar grandiose place to play their most-known pieces. The 400 tickets were sold just over 24 hours.

DECISION TO BE MADE SOON ON THE AID APPLICATION CONCERNING METRO 4 – CONTRACTS ARE CONCLUDED ACCORDING TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW

Soon positive decision may be made about the aid application of metro 4 of the Cohesion Fund. Negotiations are still ongoing, there are not official numbers yet, however, based on the news previous comments were proved to be unsubstantial, as per which the project may not receive the aid or only a fraction of the required amount. The EU’s Committee responsible has asked more information in the process of decision-making on the aid application about contracts made before the project became a European project in order to decide whether they also satisfy the requirements of the EU competition law. If not, the amount may reduce the total amount of the aid. But the fact is that these contracts were also concluded according to the regulations of the public procurement law, in compliance with the national rules in force.
The financing of the new metro line is ensured without the support, it is a matter of common concern of the Hungarian government and the city of Budapest in 79 and 21% percentage. The aid application of the Cohesion Fund shall apply to the first section that costs 353 milliard Forints. Eligible project cost is 292 milliard Forints having regard to the fact that the aid applies only to the payments after 20th December 2006. In the aid application, the beneficiary city of Budapest has asked from the European Union maximum 224 milliard Forints.

EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITION OPENED AT THE BOCSKAI ROAD STATION OF METRO 4

Exclusive exhibition opened with the initiative of Újbuda Municipality and its organization at the Bocskai road station of metro 4. Within the frame of the initiative realized with the support of DBR Metro Project Directorate and SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft. contractor to the station, the district as being well concerned by the project would like to present the most interesting moments of the metro construction through the paintings and photos of five artists. BKV – joining the exhibition – pictures the background and future of the metro transport: beyond the photographs of the Underground Railway Museum of Deák Square, the visitors can also have a look behind the stage on the building of the station with the help of experts.
The exhibition was opened this afternoon by Molnár Gyula mayor of Újbuda Municipality of Budapest, District 11, then Klados Gusztáv, the project director of the DBR greeted the initiative, Fridrich Gyula, the project manager of Swietelsky Magyarország Kft. gave a speech on the building station, last but not least Sulyok Miklós, historian of art has presented the works of art. The exhibitions regarding the archive tableau of BKV and its future viewer can be seen at the entrance, the paintings of Takáts Márton, as well as, photographs of Németh András, Vanik Zoltán, Görög András and Tóth Gyula can be viewed this evening in a „separate room” of the station, the future work room, then from tomorrow, i.e. from 1 to 17 of May, between 12 and 6 pm. every day. The exhibition can be approached from the pedestrian underpass of Fehérvár and Bocskai road intersection.

TUNNELING WORKS OF METRO 4 CONTINUE – PARTIES SETTLE THE DISPUTE WITHIN CONTRACTUAL LEGAL FRAMES

BAMCO consortium continues works, after DBR Metro Project Directorate retained its previous position at the last day of negotiations held with participation of the leaders of BKV and the city of Budapest. As this morning the Project Supervisory Board comprising the leaders of the city of Budapest was informed by DBR that the parties agreed to settle the disputed issues within the legal frames provided by the contract, and the tunnel builder forthwith takes steps needed to proceed with works as soon as possible.
BAMCO consortium led by the French owned Vinci and comprising the Austrian Strabag and the Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works done by the company on 14th April, after its claim of 35 milliard Ft was not fulfilled by DBR Metro Project Directorate within the 30 days timeline noted under its letter. The Client deemed the claim being without merit, and called upon the consortium to proceed with works immediately, otherwise envisaged termination of the 62 milliard Ft contract.

NEITHER THE CITY OF BUDAPEST NOR DBR CHANGE THEIR PREVIOUS POSITION – AND ASK NOT MORE EITHER, THAN THAT BAMCO UNDERTOOK UNDER ITS CONTRACT

Upon the request from the Head Mayor, managers of the DBR Project Directorate gave an account about the status of negotiations with BAMCO consortium to the leaders of caucuses at the five-party meeting on Budapest’s budget this morning. Opinions of the city of Budapest, BKV and DBR are still unambiguous: BAMCO consortium led by the French Vinci – abandoning its illegitimate attitude – should forthwith proceed with works. DBR again calls upon the tunnel builder to continue works done by the company and to use available legal options in lieu of threats and breach of contract and to confirm that whether it still complies with the financial and technical requirements undertaken at the time contract signing. The Client’s interest is still that that tunneling works should continue as soon as possible, but not for any costs, and if BAMCO does not comply with the instruction, DBR is ready to terminate the contract. By this otherwise DBR is still not asking more than to complete works undertaken in the contract in lieu of unrealistic claims. According to the involved international experts, if parties settled all disputed issues, it is eventually conceivable that BAMCO would owe to the Client.
BAMCO consortium led by the French Vinci and comprising the Austrian Strabag and the Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works done by the company on 14th April, after its unrealistic claim of 35 milliard Ft noted under its ultimatum was not fulfilled by the DBR Metro Project Directorate. At the very same day the Client called upon the tunnel builder to proceed with works, and it has not been satisfied by the consortium up to date. DBR has been continuously examining the ever growing number of claims of BAMCO, by which the tunnel builder slowly want to double the contractual price of 62 milliard Forints undertaken originally. DBR unambiguously dispute that the stopping has merit: the amounts of claims and in most cases their reference ground also are unrealistic, moreover unfortunately the consortium is not attempting to settle the dispute through the legal way undertaken by it as well.

DBR CALLS UPON TUNNEL BUILDER TO PROCEED WITH WORKS – STOPPING AGAIN BY BAMCO CONSORTIUM LED BY THE FRENCH VINCI IS ILLEGITIMATE

BAMCO consortium led by the French owned Vinci Construction with members of the Austrian Strabag and Hungarian Hídépítő suspended tunnel building and other works again today. Background of the issue is that the consortium submitted a claim with an unrealistically high amount of nearly 35 milliard Forints to DBR, while the whole work should be completed from approximately 62 milliard Forints as per the contract. Position of DBR is clear: the claim is deemed being without merit, therefore DBR calls upon the consortium to proceed with works. Provided the consortium does not perform within 14 days, DBR will be forced to terminate the contract. Irresponsible attitude of the consortium led by the French company compromises the jobs of several hundreds of Hungarian workers, thereby the living of several hundreds of Hungarian families.
As known, in its latest ultimatum BANCO Kkt. comprising Vinci, Strabag and Hídépítő demands some 35 milliard Forints, and gave 30 days for full compliance, otherwise envisaged termination of its contract of nearly 62 milliard Ft. DBR has been continuously examining the ever growing number of claims, of which almost 190 were submitted by the consortium, which is more than all the other claims together submitted by all the other contractors. The Company’s step now especially with the attitude used and the unreasonable as well as unfeasible conditions exceeds all limits according to the opinion of the Client.

METRO 4 HAS AN INDEPENDENT SUPERVISING ENGINEER

In the last weeks several such commentaries – independent from DBR Metro Project Directorate – emerged, which as per our opinion unreasonably questions technical information provisions in connection with metro 4. Metro 4 has an independent supervising Engineer, who provides necessary technical and legal information in all cases, thus with special reference to contracts made in connection with metro 4. Besides the open and increased communication to the public, technical information is getting to the competent bodies through several other channels too, thus to the General Meeting of Budapest, and to its committees. In the name of transparency on the website of DBR nearly 40 contracts can already be found, otherwise not violating business secrets.
According to the contract made between the Municipality of Budapest and BKV Zrt. on the tasks of the investor for the first section of metro 4, BKV Zrt. with the agreement of the city of Budapest has to employ an independent supervising Engineer in order to control investor’s decisions and completion of the project, and this is also required by the credit contract made between the European Investment Bank and the city of Budapest. In compliance with the changed financing conditions, preparations are concluded, and the independent supervising Engineer’s public procurement procedure is in process.

PLATFORM TUNNELS AT FŐVÁM SQUARE WAITING FOR THE TUNNEL BORING MACHINES – IF LEGAL DISPUTE SETTLES WITH THE TUNNEL BUILDER, THE NEW METRO WILL BE COMPLETED BY 2011.

Today in several media outlets ambiguous news was released about the finish of metro 4, and respectively the anticipated date of its handover. Therefore herewith we inform the residents of Budapest about the expected finish and present status of the project. Building works of the platform tunnels connecting to the Fővám Square station of metro 4 is finished, and it allows BAMCO to start test borings necessary to build metro tunnels under the Danube. By this the Danube side station has reached a completion degree suitable to receive the TBMs. This morning journalists with a joint guidance of DBR and Hídépítő visited the structure-ready station and the tunnel section stretching under the river, built with a special methodology. This also means that if the legal dispute with BAMCO consortium settles, then by 2011 the new metro can be physically completed and the system-start as well as the test run may commence.
On both sides of the Danube ensued from the close proximity of the river and buildings, two narrow station designs were the valid option, and platform tunnels stretching out of these will allow the train to stop with its full length at the future station. As known some experts and designers as the works progressed deemed the chosen building methodology risky, and therefore continuous negotiations began with the DBR Metro Project Directorate. Eventually the negotiations between DBR and Hídépítő Zrt., which in the meantime became Hungarian owned, about the building methodology of platform tunnels stretching under the Danube, concluded favorably for the city of Budapest and hence building of the station could proceed safely before the arrival of TBMs, and respectively for by scales less costs than with the artificial island option proposed by the French experts.

WHAT TRUE IS TRUE – FACTS ON METRO 4

In reaction to the misinformation due to inaccuracies or purposely done in the past days DBR Metro Project Directorate collected the issues frequently occurring, but, even in spite of the immediate and full information release, appearing differently almost everywhere. DBR has never stated that it builds the World's best metro with the fastest and cheapest way, but its opposite is not true either. In Hungary metros have not been built for decades, sufficient know-how was absent for a long time, preparations were slower than anticipated, but the present staff of experts can handle the technical hardships, and by now implementation works proceed with good pace and on high level everywhere, regardless of that that some companies submit unrealistic claims.
It is not true that the World’s most expensive metro is being built. Some metro constructions are cheaper, some are more expensive than the one in Budapest (diverse soil conditions, surface crowded with old buildings, presence of the Danube, etc. are raising the costs here). Not only Rome and Athens, but also France, England, Germany, Japan and the United States have had more expensive metro lines built recently, considering the average price per km, metro 4 belongs to the upper third of the middle field (if we could say that, it is 12 on a scale of 20). If we want to take objective examples, not only the Madrid and Mallorca case exist as exemplarily circulated on the Internet. (And by the way for Madrid the prices shown are that of a project calculated with net prices without metro carriages and as built by connecting existing network elements, and for Mallorca it is a small capacity beach tourist-vehicle, which after handover was needed to be closed down right away due to water leakage.)

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE ON THE ISSUE OF ADDITIONAL DEMANDS

In its newest letter, in addition to its extra demand of 13 million Euros paid earlier without prejudice to later account, now BAMCO consortium formed by Vinci, Strabag and Hídépítő demands some 115 million Euros. This one and its other demands slowly make nearly the amount, for which the company has originally undertaken the construction of the tunnel, the TBM launching shaft and the station at Szent Gellért Square. For months DBR has been continuously negotiating with the consortium, continuously assessing the ever growing number of additional demands. Under another ultimatum BAMCO gave 30 days for the full completion, otherwise envisaged termination of its contract of 207 million Euros. According to the opinion of DBR this attitude, in addition to its being unethical and immoderately exaggerated, is likely scratching the limit of breach of contract.
BAMCO’s method and its step now are not new, as last summer the company already planned to suspend its works, provided its additional cost demands, exaggerated also, submitted to the Client were not fulfilled. For months DBR has been assessing the company's continuously increasing additional works claims, those with merit were paid, even the earlier disputed amount of 13 million Euros were transferred without prejudice to later account. But claims without merit will still not be fulfilled by DBR, not even upon the influence of ultimatums, during the negotiations DBR acts with strongly bearing in mind the interests of the city of Budapest and taxpayers. DBR is still open for negotiations within reasonable and acceptable frames, but BAMCO's attitude now is already exceeding all limits that are usual in business affairs.

TUNNEL BORING MACHINES (TBM) AT HALF WAY: TUNNELING WORKS IN BUDA COMPLETED

The south TBM also “broke into” the future Szent Gellért Square station of metro 4 on Monday afternoon, 16th March 2009, to where its north pair already arrived at the middle of January. By this half of the first 7.5 km section of tunnels is completed. Arrival of the TBM means the end of the Buda side tunneling works, too.
With the north TBM the BAMCO consortium in hand with the authority's consent had already started building works to the remaining tunnel stretch at Buda side at the beginning of January and by the middle of the month reached the platform tunnel linking to the Szent Gellért Square station. The south TBM could be launched following this only, but prior to its arrival the Contractor still had to finish the internal walls of the concerned station part.

ABOUT THE SAFETY OF METRO 4 CONSTRUCTION

For the time being we know about the exact causes of the collapse of the Cologne Archives building only as mush as published in the press. According to the news the tragedy occurred adjacent to a tunnel section, which was being built with a methodology somewhat different than that of Budapest. For metro 4 the experts use open construction method only for the building of station structures and train-turning facilities of end-stations, but these stations as well as other facilities are built with the most state-of-the-art methodology. In case of tunneling works it is the same. Tunneling method with a TBM is definitely amongst the safest ones. It is needed so, as the alignment of metro 4 runs almost all along under built up surface and old buildings.
With regard to the 10 stations for 9 locations the structure building works have already been completed with no problems, and also for the Baross Square site this process will end soon. Not long ago TBMs finished the Buda side tunnel building with almost no trouble. We are waiting only for the inside wall of the three layers to be also finished after the supporting structures at Gellért Square within a few weeks, and for the TBMs to be able to get into the station structure.

GROUND WATER LEAKAGE A NATURAL ACCOMPANYING PHENOMENON

A few centimeters of surface subsidence and ground water leakage are natural accompanying phenomena of every civil engineering works. These hardly have visible signs inside the station, they calmed down as works speeded up, but they are continuous associated phenomena.
A stretch of as much as 7.6 km has been completed of the tunnels. The south TBM may break into the Szent Gellért station in the first half of March, while the north one has already arrived in January. However, TBMs can be drawn into the station after the internal wall building works are finished, for it is the responsibility of the general design and build company completing the station to ensure maximum safety in the environment affected by works.

ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE METRO CONSTRUCTION AT BAROSS SQUARE – One of the Constructor's machine operators died

This afternoon at work an accident happened to an employee of one of the Contractors to metro 4 at the Keleti Railway Station. A piece of a provisional concrete structure under demolition fell and hit the machine operator as leaving his machine, he died instantly.

SOUTH TBM OF METRO 4 DEPARTED ALSO -BUDA SIDE TUNNEL BUILDING NEARING ITS END

On 26th January 2009 the south tunnel boring machine (TBM) of metro 4 has departed also towards Szent Gellért Square, to where its north pair arrived a week ago. Once internal walls of the station and its linking platform tunnels are finished, they may be pushed into the Danube side station by the Contractor in the second half of February according to the plans.
Tunnel building BAMCO consortium in hand with the consent from the National Transport Authority (NTA) obtained at the middle of last December launched the north TBM at the beginning of January – with respect to the Holiday season – and by the middle of the month reached the platform tunnel linking to Szent Gellért station. Following this could the south TBM begin to build the last section of Buda side along the railway connecting tunnel length, which earlier evoke dispute over its building method, but now approved and being built with subsequent enlargement.

THE DBR STEPS UP THE INTENSITY OF THE COVERAGE OF THE METRO PROJECT FOR THE EU AND FOR THE RESIDENTS

Information of the EU on the project of the 4th line of the metro was also on the agenda of the today’s session of the Mayor’s Cabinet. The objective is to provide the decision makers in Brussels with accurate background information along with the financial and technical documentation of the application for grant. This information should cover the development plans, transport concept and individual projects of the Hungarian capital. The budget allocated by the DBR through the internal regrouping of expenses for multi-language publications, exhibitions in Brussels and Budapest and various professional conferences amounts to HUF 80 million, therefore this decision generates no excess costs.

THE SELECTION OF THE INDEPENDENT CONTROL ENGINEER IS IN PROGRESS

The DBR Metro Project Directorate maintains the view that the contractors of the 4th line of the metro may exclusively work under the guarantee of highest standards of safety and legality. By the stipulations of the contract concluded by and between the Metropolitan Municipality and the BKV Private Ltd. on investor’s tasks in Stage I of the project of the 4th line of the metro, BKV is liable to select, with the agreement of the Metropolitan Municipality, an independent control engineer to monitor project implementation and compliance with the investor’s decisions. This also figures among the specifications of the loan agreement between the Metropolitan Municipality and the European Investment Bank. The selection and specification of tasks of the independent control engineer under the financing terms modified to meet the conditions of bidding for the EU grant is currently underway.

THE DBR HAS BEEN COOPERATING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PHISICALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE FROM THE START OF THE PROJECT

The 4th line of the metropolitan will be truly obstacle-free because it must conform to the related EU specifications. On February 22nd 2008 the DBR Metro Project Directorate signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Physically Handicapped Residents of Budapest (MBE) to promote the forwarding of views and opinions of future handicapped passengers to the responsible experts of metro construction. This memorandum formalizes and tightens an existing relationship, because the competent specialists of the metro project invited the experts of physically handicapped residents to participate in the design of the metro.

THE EXPERT REPORT FORMING THE BASIS OF THE NEW IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE OF THE 4TH LINE OF THE METRO IS COMPLETED

THE END OF 2011 IS A REALISTIC EXPECTATION AS A DEADLINE OF COMPLETION OF TRIAL RUNS
The DBR Metro Project Directorate procured the preparation of the new realistic implementation schedule of the 4th line of the metro project in the light of engineering difficulties of the past months. According to this report counting on several months of delay accumulated in connection with the construction of the tunnel, the Fővám Square and Gellért Square stations the completion of the four month trial run by the end of year 2011 and the final deadline of handover of the metro line for passenger traffic are feasible, as declared earlier by the officials of the Metropolitan Municipality.

THE BAMCO CONSORTIUM IS TRYING TO PUT ON PRESSURE BY THREATS

In a letter addressed to the DBR Metro Project Directorate the tunnel builder BAMCO Consortium declared that it would temporarily suspend all works until its claims for the reimbursement of excess costs are fulfilled by the Investor. Following its earlier practice, the DBR will also cover henceforth all the legitimate claims for excess works that became necessary for reasons not imputable to the Contractor, but DBR will only accept legitimate and justified claims despite the ultimata. The Contractor shall carry responsibility for all legal and material consequences of unjustified stand-down.

LEAVE YOUR HANDPRINT ON THE BOARDING FENCE AT THE MÓRICZ ZSIGMOND CIRCUS TOO!

At the beginning of September the DBR Metro Project Directorate held a highly successful two-day event at the construction site of the Keleti Railway Terminus metro station. Nearly the thousand volunteers left their green handprints on the boarding fence of the construction site of the 4th line of the metro. Today, on October 17th, the Directorate will repeat this successful event at the new site.

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY AND THE DBR IN THE MATTER OF THE „CH” BUILDING

The experts of the DBR Metro Project Directorate, the Engineer, the contractor, the representatives of the Consortium recording the building displacements, and also independent experts agreed today that the structural stability of Building „CH” of the Technical University is currently not under risk. The decision taken this morning is also about the acceleration of recovery of damages caused by metro construction, speeding up of remaining works on the St. Gellért Square metro station and intensification of monitoring of the condition of buildings.

THE METRO CONTRUCTION DOES NOT JEOPARDIZE BUILDING „CH” OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The settlement of Building „CH” of the Technical University is lower than the threshold value expected by the experts based on the preliminary surveys. This statement has been confirmed by joint site visits of the parties carried out regularly since the start of the construction works. Settlement is the natural concomitant of civil engineering works carried out in the vicinity of old buildings and structures. In the case of the Technical University settlement has been reducing since the completion of work phases that impacted the building concerned, and subsidence has stabilized by now.

THE BAMCO CONSORTIUM RESUMES WORKS; THE ISSUE OF THE FŐVÁM SQUARE STATION IS SETTLED

Having reached a provisional agreement between the DBR Metro Project Directorate and the contractor, BAMCO Consortium gradually resumes working starting from the beginning of this week. The situation regarding the Fővám Square station will soon be settled, too; Hídépítő is about to submit the application for the modification of the construction license of the station. Along with the solution of the two technical difficulties the railway authority license for the second section of the 4th line of the metro has been granted.

THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BAMCO CONSORTIUM ARE RESUMED

This morning the BAMCO Consortium temporarily stopped all works under the contract, moreover, they failed to meet their contractual obligation to mitigate damages: they suspended operations in the manner that hampers the progress of other contractors.

THE BACKING OF THE 4TH LINE OF THE METRO INTENSIFIES

By the results of the latest survey conducted at the end of September 2008 by the Marketing Centrum the support of the 4th line of the metropolitan among the residents of Budapest increased in six months from 80 to 84 per cent.

INTRODUCING THE 4TH LINE OF THE METRO AT THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

A stand introducing the 4th line of the metro is installed at the exhibition of the Professional Week for Civil Engineering held in the assembly hall of the Vásárhelyi Pál College of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

THE BAMCO CONSORTIUM STILL CARRIES ON WORKING AT ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES

This morning BAMCO Consortium resumed works, but they failed to answer to the deadline the proposal regarding the settlement of the issue of excess costs made earlier by the DBR Metro Project Directorate. BAMCO announced instead that they would stop operations at all sites effective from Monday.

HUNDREDS ON THE STARTING-LINE ON SATURDAY FOR A CLEANER BUDAPEST

On September 20th 2008 the events of the Józsefváros Health Day took place the fourth time this year. This event of outstanding importance for the 8th district was organized on Mátyás Square in the heart of the Magdolna Quarter. This year the 4th line of the metro – the Green Line – was also represented at this event.

GRAFFITI WALL AT THE ETELE SQUARE AND NÉPSZÍNHÁZ STREET STATIONS OF THE 4TH LINE OF THE METRO

On September 19th 2008 Gábor Demszky, Mayor of the City of Budapest legitimized the boarding fence at the Etele Square and Népszínház Street stations of the 4th line of the metro as graffiti walls. From today on the boarding fences handed over as part of the anti-graffiti campaign are available for anybody to paint on them. The objective of the organizers of this action is to draw the attention of residents to the extraordinary damage graffiti cause to the image of the city and the raison d'être of artistic graffiti if warrantable under the law.

M4 FOOT RACE ON THE HEALTH DAY IN JÓZSEFVÁROS

The Mátyás Square in the heart of the Magdolna Quarter of the 8th district hosts the Józsefváros Health Day organized this year the fourth time. This is an impressive event, where the organizers offer colorful programs for those who value their health. This year the 4th line of the metro – the Green Line – was also represented at this event.

PANORAMIC IMAGES OF STATION CONSTRUCTION

A spectacular panoramic image of the Móricz Zsigmond Circus station has been prepared recently. It can be zoomed and rotated in all directions giving the impression of presence inside the giant engineering structure under construction.

SEE-SAW AT TWENTY METER DEPTH

The Ráday Culture Street (Culture Street) plans an extraordinary open-air theatre show at the Rákóczi Square station of the 4th line of the metro under construction. The show is to begin at 7.00 p.m. September 25th 2008, at depth well below 20 m.

M4 EXHIBITION IN THE PARK OF THE CITY HALL

An exhibition on the construction of the 4th line of the metro is opened this year again in the park of the City Hall. The series of giant billboards showing the routing of the metro line under construction will be on display until the end of October at the end of the park nearest to Gerlóczy Street (at the Merlin Theatre).

LEAVE YOUR HANDPRINT, TOO!

From 10 am to 16 pm on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th of September 2008 DBR Metro Project Directorate kindly invites you to the Baross Square to leave your handprint on the construction site of the Keleti Railway Terminus station of the 4th line of the metro.

BAMCO Consortium, the tunnel builder, is penalized

In its today’s decision the National Transport Authority (NTA) banned further works on the crossover tunnels at St. Gellért Square, thereby sharing the position of the DBR Metro Project Directorate regarding the tunnels. The tunnel builder BAMCO Consortium was condemned for unauthorized advance of works and levied a fine of HUF 1 million. NTA emphasized the correct and lawful procedure followed by Eurometro (Engineer) and DBR (Employer). In pursuance of this decision tunnel building works may only be resumed upon the approval of the construction plan; until then the contractor is liable to maintain adequate safety conditions.

New works of art on the boarding fences of construction sites

DBR Metro Project Directorate and the Théba Art Academy opened this morning the latest work of art created on the boarding fence of the construction site of the 4th line of the metro entitled “Community transport in Budapest then and now”. The painting forms part of the series of exhibitions and cultural events sponsored by the metro builders.

FROM 16 JUNE A SHORT SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY QUAY WILL BE CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC

The commencement of construction works of the inclined shaft to house the moving staircases of the Szent Gellért Square station of the 4th line of the metropolitan is harmonized with the construction of the main sewer in Buda. For the harmonization of the two projects a short section of the lower and upper quays on the Buda side between Bertalan Lajos Street and the Szent Gellért Square will be closed temporarily for traffic from 16 June to 20 August.

THE 4TH LINE OF THE METROPOLITAN RANKS AMONG PROJECTS OF AVERAGE OUTLAY GLOBALLY

Regarding the implementation budget the 4th line of the Budapest metropolitan ranks among the projects of average outlay in the world. The DBR Metro Project Directorate repeatedly calls attention to the fact that, due to the broad variations in the peculiarities, the individual metro projects are barely comparable, particularly for the layman, as it has been proven on a number of earlier occasions.

A SPECIAL DEDICATION PAINTED ON THE BOARDING FENCE OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE IN KÁLVIN SQUARE

Art-school students painted a metro train on the boarding plank of the construction site of the Kálvin Square station of the 4th line of the metropolitan. The organizers of the Ráday Art Street, co-sponsored by the Municipality of Ferencváros, wish to publicize the events in this manner.

DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INCLINED SHAFT OF THE SZENT GELLÉRT SQUARE STATION OF THE 4TH LINE OF THE METROPOLITAN A SHORT SECTION OF THE UPPER QUAY ON THE BUDA SIDE WILL BE CLOSED FOR TRAFFIC STARTING FROM 16 JUNE

The closure of the lower quay due to the construction of the main sewer on the Buda side did not cause major traffic jams, and no particular congestion of traffic is expected due to the temporary closing of traffic from 16 June to 20 August of the section of the Műegyetem (Technical University) Quay between Bertalan Lajos Street and Szent Gellért Square. For the passengers crossing this area this summer period is the most advantageous due to summer holidays and school break-up.

OPEN DAYS FOR VISITORS AGAIN: NOW AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THE TÉTÉNYI STREET STATION

The Tétényi Street station under construction of the 4th line of the metropolitan was open for visitors in the framework of the Újbuda Bikás Park May Picnic.

No risk presented by the breaking of ground occurred closed to Tétényi street

Engineers of metro 4 have checked the small surface breakings noted in the vicinity of Tétényi road metro station, which is under construction, but they mean no danger at all to nearby residents. Surface breaking occurred on January 22nd, 2008 was not significant and the defect was fixed yesterday.

No risk presented with omission of the main ventilation

It means no risk at all to omit a main ventilation structure of metro 4 previously intended between the Tétényi and Bocskai road stations to Petzvál street. Following a long and detailed scrutiny of the drawings, both the Engineer and Investor decided to replace some functions of the structure with separate engineering design alternatives.

International comparison is provided on metro projects

In the past days a document was issued comparing metro projects only in general, missing real technical parameters and based on several years old incorrect information. The professionals of DBR Metro Project Directorate know the international projects of course, and soon they intend to assist the press with a technical supporting document based on actual facts, because as we know now the project of metro 4 as being constructed in downtown circumstances with extremely adverse ground conditions belongs to the midfield in Europe in terms of the average costs of metro construction.

Why does metro 4 differ from the one in Mallorca?

The metro line of Palma de Mallorca costs one tenth of metro 4, although it is the same length and has the same number of stations – claims a writing full of fallacies and technical errors on the Internet.
While the two projects are hardly comparable, metro 4 costs significantly more – in fact 4 times more with constructions on the surface – due to the followings strictly from a technical point of view.

Metro 4 could be cheaper by 17 billion

A 2 billion Forint amount resulting from the omission of the main ventilation of metro 4 between Tétényi and Bocskai roads is part of the 17 billion cost reduction plan previously approved by the General Meeting of the Capital. With the omission of the ventilation in Petzvál street a playground formerly intended to be demolished will remain indeed.

Tree planting on Orczy road

Line 4 will be green not only in its color. There is every reason to say on the metro construction that it is a “green” project in its quality. For each tree cut due to the construction of Rákóczi square station for metro No 4 at least 7 new will be planted in the district by the contractor SwO Metro 4 Építő Kkt.!

Budafoki Road is open again

The original traffic conditions were restored on Budafoki Road on 26 October 2007 after completion of the work for discharging the public utility lines at the Szent Gellért Station.

Information on the opening hours of the InfoCenter

The opening hours of the M4 Information Center at Etele Square will change for the rest of this year:

The second drilling shield arrived at Tétényi Road Station

The second tunnelling shield has arrived at the Tétényi Road Station on 25 October 2007. The first shield broke the station wall on 13 September 2007. Thus, the total length of complete tunnel sections is more than 1.5 km.

METRO4: Boarding Fence Exhibition at Rákóczi Square Station

An irregular art event makes, even in the literal sense of the word, the construction work more coloury at the Rákóczi Square Station of Metro Line 4.

Contracts accessible on the web site

From now, the contracts concluded for the Metro 4 construction are available for the public for reading. The link to the web page is as follows: http://www.metro4.hu/dbr_szerzodesek.php.

Summer holiday at Infocenter

We wish to inform all those concerned, that the Etele Square Information Center of Metro 4 Construction will be closed for a one-week summer holiday.

Trams run again on Fehérvári Road

The tram traffic restarts on Fehérvári Road as early as 23 July well before scheduled the date of August promised last year. The sidewalls and the floor of Bocskai Station were complete last year and a large part of the previously closed area is available again for the traffic.

Tramline 2 will change due to Metro Line 4 construction. Fehérvári Road will reopen for the traffic.

Attention! Tramline 2 will change on 25 June!
Due to the construction of the Metro Line 4, the track of Tramline 2 will be divided into two independent sections, as of 25 June. These two independent sections will be separated by Fővám Square and tram substitution buses will be provided to ensure the smooth public transport. Tramline 2 is expected to run on its full line about 21 months later.

GREEN METRO: Several billion forints spent on environment protection

Metro Line 4 will be a green metro not only in its colours. It can be said with good reason about the metro project, that it is a “green project” in its quality too. Not only for the reason that the newly constructed metro line itself brings about the improvement of several environmental factors (noise, smog, traffic jam), but also because particular attention has been paid to the environment protection as early as in the construction phase.

Announcement of results of the drawing competition titled My Friend the Metro

Several dozen school classes had registered and several hundred drawings were received. The jury had some troubles in the selection of those of the witty and clever competitive drawings, which they found as worthy of remuneration.

Tram lines No 4 and No 6 are closed for traffic on the weekend due to the construction of the fourth line of the metro

Due to the construction of the new metro line buses replace tram lines No 4 and No 6 on the weekend. The tram traffic is suspended due to two jobs to be implemented in a strictly harmonized manner (for the details click here).

The surprises of BKV’s children’s day achieved great success

On Children’s Day thousands of children gathered for the BKV event on Deák Square renamed on this day “Children’s Square”. Along with their parents the children enjoyed the concert of the 100 Folk Celsius group and were pleased with the small gifts received.

Boros and Bochkor “baptize” the tunnel boring machines

By the results of voting closed earlier the popular broadcasters, Lajos Boros and Gábor Bochkor received the largest number of votes. The commentators solemnly baptized Boros and Bochkor the two TBMs named as S355 and S354 earlier.

Metro construction on Fővám Square: from May 14 the lower quay on the Pest side between Közraktár Street and Belgrád Quay will be closed for traffic for three and a half months

The preparations to the construction of the Fővám Square metro station started in March with the replacement of utilities. The next milestone of the project is May 14, when the construction of station structure is commenced with the construction of 40 to 46 meter deep diaphragm walls.

Metro construction at the Keleti Railway Station(TRAFFIC CHANGES: the construction works of the fourth line of the metro arrived to yet another station)

The temporary terminus of the first section of the new line of the metro will be at the Keleti Railway Station, providing transfer between metro lines No 2 and No 4. The construction of the station begins on May 10 with the replacement of the utility lines.

Bochkor and Boros bore the underground tunnel

Upon the initiative of Miklós Hagyó, Deputy Mayor, the bid for the eponymy of the two tunnel boring machines currently having the not quite poetic names TBM S355 and TBM S354 started on April 2.

„ Green metro ”: Trees are replanted on Köztársaság Square

Due to the construction of the Népszínház Street metro station, the builders will replant 12 old trees and plant 186 new trees after the completion of construction works.

Make a drawing of the 4th line of the Metro!

The DBR Metro Project Directorate publishes a drawing completion entitled "My friend, the Metro" for the pupils of elementary schools, and also invites classes of grammar schools to visit the Information Centre on the Etele Square.
The board of the BKV Private Limited Company intends to familiarize the building of the metro, the most important transport development project of the last 30 years in Budapest.

20 pairs of names remain in the ring – Having submitted your ideas now cast your vote at the Budapest Portal!

If you have not joined in the competition initiated by Miklós Hagyó, Deputy Mayor, you may still join in! If you have brain-stormed in the past days, your votes are invited now! Today the second round of the eponymy for the tunnel boring machines begins!

Be the eponym of the tunnel boring machines of the 4th line of the Metro!

Be the eponym of the nickname of the tunnel boring machines of 1600 HP each working beneath the surface of Budapest! The Budapest portal (www.budapest.hu) invites your ideas and the residents will pick the best names after voting.

Be the eponym of the tunnel boring machines of the 4th line of the Metro!

Be the eponym of the nickname of the tunnel boring machines of 1600 HP each working beneath the surface of Budapest! The Budapest portal (www.budapest.hu) invites your ideas and the residents will pick the best names after voting.

Launching of the construction of tunnels of the 4th line of the Metro

On April 3rd the tunnel building and tunnel boring machines set on their 106 week journey. That is to say, the 7.2 kilometre long tunnel of the 4th line of the Metro between the Kelenföld Railway Station and the Keleti Railway Station is planned to be completed in 106 weeks.

From April 5th the Kálvin Square will be closed for traffic for two years

the closure of Kálvin Square from the Vámház Boulevard is required due to the construction of the Kálvin Square station of the 4th line of the Metro. The construction site may only be crossed by the vehicles of BKV.

Overground traffic changes due to the construction of the Kálvin Square station of the 4th line of the Metro

This is the first time when changes in traffic are induced by the construction of the stations of the 4th line of the Metro on the Pest side of the Capital.

Another metro station will be built: the works are commenced on the Köztársaság Square

At the end of March the construction of the latest station of the 4th line of the Metro is commenced at the Népszínház Street. The construction begins on March 21st with the hoarding and fencing off of the work site in the first days. At the beginning the works will call only for minor traffic limitations and the car parks near the work site will cease.

„ Green metro ”: The builders of the Metropolitan take special care of all the protected trees ; the 4th line of the Metro has arrived at the Rákóczi Square

Metro construction is a project of European standard from the environmental point of view, too. One of the key aspects of the construction of the Metropolitan is to avoid the felling of protected trees. For example the preferred construction technology of the Metro station at the Rákóczi Square was chosen in the design phase to avoid the felling of three protected plane trees.

The Government and the Metropolitan Municipality hold together in their joint support of the construction of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan

The on-going reconciliation meetings among the experts of the Metropolitan Municipality, the Government representatives and the competent decision makers from Brussels center on the amount of funds and forms of support to be appropriated from the EU cohesion fund for the implementation of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan. The European Union regards the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan as a project essential for the long-term sustainability of the community public transport, for the improvement of the service standard of rail-guided public transport and reduction of air pollution.

„The implementation of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan has reached another milestone” – The construction of stations has been commenced on the Pest side

Starting from spring 2007 the construction of the Metropolitan goes on with the construction of stations Fővám Square and Kálvin Square on the Pest side. The construction of both stations induces significant changes in the traffic for those selecting this route. The works will commence first on Kálvin Square.

The builders of the Metropolitan take special care of all the protected trees

One of the key aspects of the construction of the Metropolitan is to avoid the felling of protected trees.

The checking and replacement of the gas pipelines is not warranted in all cases by the implementation of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan

Erroneous information has appeared repeatedly on the replacement of gas pipelines in houses affected by the construction of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan and the related reconstruction of public utilities. The news whereby the gas pipelines need to be replaced in each case due to the construction of the Metropolitan and the related costs must be borne by the residents is untrue. Any pipelines shall only be replaced only where they leak and therefore are dangerous for life, consequently the replacement is precipitated not only by the Metropolitan project.

Professionals adding up to more than 500 years of experience: experts and laymen join forces for the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan

Leading experts of the Metropolitan project and civilian reviewers assessing critically the project met this afternoon. Főmterv Private Limited Company initiated this discussion with a view to comment face-to-face any issues and critical comments raised recently.

3200 horse powers for the construction of the Metropolitan

The remaining components of the tunnel boring machines for the construction of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan were delivered to the Etele Square Saturday morning and Sunday at dawn. The knocked-down machine came from Germany to Hungary.

Traffic limitation on Etele Square

The section of Névtelen Street between the Volán Bus Terminus and the Hadak Road near Etele Square will be closed for traffic from January 25th en 2007 till July 2007. This is the site of the connecting section of the tunnel with the future depot of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan.

VEKE carries on its counter-campaign against the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan

VEKE has repeatedly published a review concerning the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan questionable from a number of aspects. The experts of the BKV Private Limited Company, DBR Metro Project Directorate and the Metropolitan Municipality will again take a purely professional stance in answering the challenges of VEKE based on facts rather than assumptions.

The 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan has no alternative

Giant projects such as the construction of the Metropolitan always invite debates and breed many opinions. In the past weeks a number of publications branded the project as an abortive attempt, yet all the articles published including the study of VEKE entitled „ A spendthrift plan of the olden times” include a number of incorrect and inaccurate conclusions. For this reason the DBR Metro Project Directorate of BKV Private Limited Company considered it appropriate to publish its response to the challenges.

Archeological findings of thousands of years of age revealed at the construction sites of the Metropolitan

At the majority of sites of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan construction is preceded by archeological excavations. The archeologists have found a number of valuable items during the excavation. Perhaps the most interesting of the findings are the remnants of the iron furnace found in the area of the Zsigmond Móricz Circus station.

The construction of the cutoff / diaphragm wall was completed at the Tétényi Street Station of the 4th line of the Metro

In the 9th district the construction of the 4th line of the Metro takes place at five sites. The construction works have progressed the farthest at the Tétényi Street Station; the cutoff / diaphragm walls were completed on October 29th at the construction of the slab structure of the station was commenced. Completion is scheduled in the middle of December. The construction of the cutoff / diaphragm wall is the operation generating the most intensive noise during the construction works of the station.

The Fővám Square station of the Metro was granted the Media Award for Architecture 2006 for the best architectural design of the year

In cooperation with seven Hungarian media (Élet és Irodalom; Heti Válasz; HVG; index.hu; Kultúrház (mtv); Magyar Hírlap; and Népszabadság) Epiteszforum.hu, the daily architectural news portal announced the Media Award for Architecture the second time. In 2006 projects were granted a Media Award in two categories: Plans and Completed Projects. In the category “Plan of the Year” the Fővám Square station of the metro received the highest number of votes from the Selection Committee.

The “power mole” passed the exam

The assembly of first tunnel boring machine or „TBM” to be used at the construction of the tunnels of the 4th line of the metro was completed. The test run took place in Germany. The „ power mole” passed all tests, it operated adequately.

Everything about the 4th line of the Metro you wanted to know: inauguration of the Information Center for the 4th line of the Metro

The construction of the 4th line of the Metro is the largest public transport project in the past 30 years in Budapest. The project is an extremely exciting engineering and architectural challenge for expert and layman alike. Hundreds of experts are involved day by day in the construction of the 4th line of the Metro.

New Announcement

Baross tér 2nd metro line 2nd exit

New Announcement

Technical consultancy services

Decision

Judgement on the Appeal submitted against the License of Implementation for South-Buda-Rákospalota Metro Line (Metro 4), Phase I

Preparation of the implementation of a depot.

According to plans, the depot will be implemented on the property along Etele tér - Borszéki utca as assigned by the approved Development Plan.

Demszky meets Medgyessy

Mr. Demszky requested an interview from the Prime Minister. The deadlines of the construction of Metro 4 are urgent, however, both the commencement and the completion date are still feasible - declared Mr. Gábor Demszky to MTI.

Everybody heard of Metro 4

"Everybody heard of Metro 4" - is written in the issue of October 28 of the newspaper "Népszabadság". Metro 4 is the most widely known investment of the Municipality.

Construction is delayed

The commencement of the construction of Metro 4 is already deferred by two and half months because of the complaints against the environment protection permit, however, it can not affect the completion date of 2008 - said Mr. GULYÁS.

The new line will be opened in 2008.

The Medgyessy Cabinet put an end to the metro issue on May 14, 2003: the project will cost HUF 195 billion, VAT not included.