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.!

Overall 27 non-protected trees were needed to be removed from the work site at Rákóczi square because of the building works for the metro station and underground garage. Unfortunately these tree cuttings were inevitable. However, where a slightly chance appeared for not having to cut the trees, the contactor took the chance. During design works to the Rákóczi square station the construction method was selected to allow retaining of the three protected and already largely grown plane trees. This was achieved as for one of the trees by narrowing the contour of the station, and for the other two by completing the station part underground under the trees by mining means. Although this will increase the costs for the station construction works, but environment protection at the metro project is highly important in any case.

Mass tree planting
The contractor SwO Metro 4 “Rákóczi tér” Építő Kkt. had planted 127 young trees at several locations of the 8th district by mid December to replace those cut due to the metro construction. Almost 200 trees will be planted in the district by the company by the end of the building works. Ones the works are finished they will re-plant at least 23 trees to the area of the station, and respectively the areas concerned by the construction will be restored, re-landscaped, and handed back to the people of Budapest according to the requirements of the 21st century.

In December 2007 the following tree plantings were carried out:
- on even side of József blvd.: 7 No hackberry trees (diameter 8 cm, height 2.2 m)
- on odd side of József blvd.: 4 No hackberry trees (diameter 8 cm, height 2.2 m)
- along Kerepesi road: 1 No honey-locust tree (diameter 8 cm, height 2.2 m)
- on the 8th district side of Múzeum blvd.: 6 No common ash trees (diameter 8 cm, height 2.2 m)
- on both sides of Orczy road: 109 No honey-locust trees (diameter 6 cm, height 2.2 m)

What is the status of the station construction now?
Having finished the preparation works for structure construction of the Rákóczi square station and utility replacements the cutoff wall for the station was essentially completed by the end of August 2007. At the location of the station’s operational area, excavation works and installation of temporary steel pipe buttresses are nearing the end. Over the platform, across the passenger traffic area, building of the first ceiling was completed also. Excavation works for the ventilation structure and the base slab are finished.

Data of the station:
Station length: 104 m
Underground depth: -19.5 m
Number of escalators: 4+4
Number of elevators: 2
Number of exits: 2
Construction system: mixed
Station type: central platform