Budapest's Margit bridge to undergo transformation

Budapest's Margit híd, the bridge that spans the Danube at the southern tip of Margitsziget (Margaret Island), will have a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights in the middle instead of the current underpass to allow pedestrians access to the island, according to renovation plans, writes daily Népszabadság. Other changes, some of which have raised concerns from experts, include reducing the bend in the middle of the bridge. Renovations will start in winter 2008 at the latest and are expected to last 18 months. The bridge was last overhauled in 1978.

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(Top) Margaret Bridge, Budapest's second permanent bridge, spans the Danube at the southern tip of Margaret Island. (Bottom) According to recently accepted renovation plans, it will be restored to its form in the early 20th century.

The plans were ordered from a consortium led by Budapest infrastructure design company Főmterv Zrt. CEO János Schulek told the paper that the bridge will be renovated into its form at the beginning of the 20th century. (The reason for choosing that period is that when the bridge was originally opened in 1876, it had no electric lights or tram tracks.)

It has been decided that the bridge's reinforced concrete slabs will be replaced with new ones. Earlier, the use of steel was considered, as it is more durable and cheaper to repair, but the idea was scrapped for being too costly.

The tram platforms will be widened and made easy to use for the disabled. There will be no separate bus lanes, but the tram tracks will be reinforced to be usable for buses. It is unlikely that Bus 26, the service which transports passengers to and from Margitsziget, will be allowed to turn left towards Pest after leaving the island. A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights, which will also serve the disabled, will be created at the opening of the island. Főmterv stressed that the pedestrian crossing will not cause further congestion, as the traffic lights will be synchronized with those at the two ends of the bridge. The dilapidated underpass will be closed to the public and used by repair personnel only. The stairs leading to the underpass will be removed, and the lookout terrace on the south side of the bridge expanded.

The sidewalk on the side of the island will be widened by two meters to allow for a bicycle lane to be built. Important changes for motorists will include the reduction of the currently sharp, 30-degree bend at the middle of the bridge, and the widening of all four lanes.

The overhead tram cables will be suspended on period-style posts. The corroding lamp posts on either side of the bridge will be removed and also replaced by posts featuring a style contemporary to the early twentieth century. The bridge will also receive new railings and decorative lights, which will accent the pillars and the statues.

During the renovations, the bridge will be closed to cars and open only to public transport, emergency vehicles and taxis. The island itself, however, will also be accessible by foot.

The total expected cost of the works will be around Ft 12 billion (over €47 million).

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