„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 experts harmonize the scheduling of construction of the two stations due to the proximity of the construction sites in order to minimize the duration of detours and traffic limitations. The traffic changes will be implemented in several stages. The works commence on Kálvin Square with a minor closure on February 26th, then on March 5th the construction of the Fővám Square station is also commenced; the works will mainly concentrate in the area around the university building. The complete closure of the Kálvin Square is scheduled on April 5th. The complete closure of the lower embankment will be required from May on.
Throughout the construction the experts devote special attention to causing the least amount of inconvenience to the students and teachers of the Corvinus University and the citizens of Budapest choosing this route. The construction companies provide on-going information about the works to all parties affected and reconcile the works with the representatives of the University. Safe access to and from the University shall be assured throughout the project implementation.
Continuous updates on the implementation of works and the traffic changes affecting the citizens will be provided for the residents and the general public.
For additional information on the construction of metro stations and the Metropolitan project please contact the hot line of the BKV Private Limited Company at 06-80-406-688, or the websites at www.bkv.hu and www.metro4.hu and also the information center of the 4th line of the Budapest Metropolitan located on the Etele Square.
(Map information is provided at the end of this article.)
Details: construction of stations on Fővám Square and Kálvin Square, planned schedule
1. The works start on Kálvin Square on February 26th 2007 with the substitution of public utilities including the construction of sewer and water pipelines; this will disturb traffic to a minor extent only. On the Fővám Square, in front of the building of the University (along the upper embankment) works to substitute utilities begin on March 5th 2007. These works will not affect road traffic.
2. A major change in the life of this part of the city will take place on April 5th 2007 with the closure of traffic across Kálvin Square. Sewer pipes of large diameter will be laid calling for major demolition of road and pavement, therefore only buses to replace trams will be allowed across Kálvin Square, using mostly one lane only in alternating directions.
With minor changes the closure of Kálvin Square will remain in effect until the end of 2008 when the construction of the structure of the station of the Metropolitan is completed. In this period the tram traffic will be replaced by buses that currently serve the Buda side; the route of these bus lines will be extended to the Deák Square. From April 2007 to the end the route of 2008 trolleybus number 83 will be changed temporarily.
Drivers may go from Baross Street to the Múzeum Boulevard and the Kecskeméti Street, and proceed from Múzeum Boulevard towards Kecskeméti Street and the Üllői Road.
3. The next significant stage is the commencement of structural works of the subway of the Fővám Square station. This is scheduled to mid-May 2007. Then the lower embankment will be completely closed for traffic from the Közraktár Street in front of the University to the Belgrád embankment. The drivers may use alternative routes along the Belgrád embankment towards the Vásárcsarnok (Market Hall), preferably by crossing the Vámház Boulevard. Due to the construction works the lower embankment is likely to be closed for traffic for six months starting from mid-May 2007.
The substitution of public utilities required because of the construction of the Metro station and subway will commence along the Belgrád embankment and the Fővám Square on August 21st 2007.
From November 2007 the upper embankment in front of the University will be completely closed for traffic due to the construction of the Metro station. The parking lot will also be closed. At the same time the works for the substitution of public along the Belgrád embankment and the southern side of the Fővám Square will expand calling for the closure of a larger area, but this will induce only minor changes in the traffic. Tram No 2 will likely follow the initial route for six month after the commencement of construction.
The Szabadság (Liberty) Bridge is expected to be completely closed for traffic on August 21st 2007. Before the closure of the bridge the tram traffic on the Buda side along the Fehérvári road will be restored from the end of July 2007. Trams No 47 and No 49 will again proceed along the Bartók Béla Road.
The route of trams and replacement buses will change and the temporary terminus at the Lónyay Street will be closed down too. Tram No 47 will proceed along the route of tram No 19 on the Buda side, and it will be replaced by buses between the Buda and the Pest sides.
Despite all the effort to allocate the best routes through detours the traffic handling capacity of the area will significantly reduce, therefore all Budapest residents are kindly asked to use preferably the detours and alternative routes in the vicinity of the lower embankment, the Vámház Boulevard and the Szabadság Bridge.
Not only stations of the Metropolitan and subways will be built, but the streets and squares affected will also be renovated. The streets, tram tracks, the Szabadság Bridge and the parking lots will be renovated to the standards and expectations of the 21st century. The Kálvin Square, the Fővám Square and the surroundings of the University will also be reconstructed and redecorated. State-of-the-art machinery, safe methods and processes will be used to carry out all works.