OVER HALF OF THE M4 STATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY READY TO RECIEVE PASSENGERS
Two new stations of Metro Line M4, Móricz Zsigmond körtér and II. János Pál pápa, have received their official completion certificates. Over half of the stations are now ready to start the Test in Traffic Operation after the tests and examinations currently under way. There are several permit procedures going on currently.
The station under Móricz Zsigmond körtér was built at the junction of number of bus and tram routes, and is one of the most important transfer points in the Buda side of the city. The building of the station required large-scale surface reinstatement works: among others, the square was given a new paving, the heads of all the connecting streets were renewed, a new tram stop was built; the new subway system provides access to the metro from several points of the Circus, and the Mushroom building is soon to be completed in a project run by the local district municipality. The spacious and well-lit station was given a unique form: the dividing walls on the side above the tracks, the smoke screen as they are technically called, were made spectacular by coloured concrete segments, making it the most colourful of all M4 stations. All together 6 sets of escalators and 2 lifts take passengers up to the subway and the surface from the platform level 24 metres deep. The subway has natural lighting with a skylight making up part of the tram stop at the surface.
The II. János Pál pápa tér station of Metro Line M4 was built under the part of the square between Erkel Theatre and Népszínház utca, between stations Rákóczi tér and Keleti Railway Station. This is probably the most simple and functional of all the stations on the new line, which went along with major surface reinstatements, as well. The public of the district could take possession of the new rest and park area of the renewed area in mid-December. The platform is 19 metres deep, and the station has an escalator and a lift exit, too. 4 sets of escalators and 2 lifts will provide access between the surface, the subway and the platform following the Test in Traffic Operation. Natural light will reach down to the platform through the skylight at the side of the pool at the surface. The space between the two rows of beams is characterized by the harmony of the fair face concrete and well-lit metal surfaces. The relief on the Keleti Railway Station side of the station was designed by sculptor György Jovánovics.
On the initiative of Mayor István Tarlós, the National Transport Authority drew together the various licensing procedures, which has accelerated and rationalized the process. On the basis of the former procedure, the various equipments of each station, the escalators, lifts, drainage ducts, water-fog fire extinguishers, ventilation system, would have each had to undergo a separate licensing procedure. The new procedure does not mean that the various competent authorities involved do not examine all the elements of each station, but it means that the 13 different completion licensing procedures merge over 300 procedures under a model used in several EU countries for such major projects.
One separate completion certificate has to be obtained for all the 10 stations, one for the tunnels and its plant, including the tracks, power supply and signalling equipment, and two others for the depot. But several other permits have to be obtained by DBR Metro Project Directorate before the Test in Traffic Operation can begin at the end of March 2014, as per plans. Separate completion certificates have to be obtained for the surface structures of the stations, the surface reinstatement works related to the M4 project, the parks, squares, streets, many sewage, water works and other special equipment and structures before the public can take possession of the new metro line. As a result of much effort in recent months, DBR has obtained many of the permits, and these two new ones are the fruit of the cooperation between the government commissioner, the mayor and the National Transport Authority, whereby over half the stations of the line have received the permits required.
Mayor’s Office of the Municipality of Budapest
Budapest Transport Centre (BKK)
BKV Zrt. DBR Metro Project Directorate
Photos by Péter Maróti