HUNGARY: Work to modernise and double-track the Hungarian section of the Budapest – Beograd corridor was formally launched with a groundbreaking ceremony at Kiskunhalas on October 15.
The upgrade of the line between Soroksár near Budapest and Kelebia on the Serbian border will reduce the journey time on the 163 km Hungarian section of the corridor by 1 h to 2 h 10 min.
Work is also underway to modernise the 183 km of the corridor in Serbia, and in combination the projects will reduce the Budapest – Beograd journey time from 8 h to 3½ h.
A loan from Export-Import Bank of China is covering 85% if the HF750bn cost of the works in Hungary, with the Ministry of Innovation & Technology funding the rest. Planning began in July 2020, and construction is expected to be completed by 2025.
The project will see the laying of 339 km of track over 150 route-km. The maximum speed will be increased to 160 km/h, noise barriers erected and ETCS Level 2 installed.
Stations will gain 550 mm high platforms, and pedestrian subways, with new station buildings provided at Délegyháza, Kiskunlacháza, Dömsöd, Fülöpszállás, and Kiskőrös, and existing buildings at Soroksár, Dunaharaszti, Taksony, Dunavarsány, Kunszentmiklós-Tass, Szabadszálás and Kebiskialás being refurbished.
The maximum length of freight trains will be increased to 740 m, and the maximum axleload to 22·5 tonnes.
‘Strengthening the competitiveness of rail freight transport will contribute to the achievement of the climate neutrality target for 2050’, said László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation & Technology and Government Commissioner for Modernisation of the Budapest – Beograd Railway.
‘One of the priorities of the Hungarian railway development programme is to transform Hungary into a hub for freight transport, logistics and distribution in central Europe. We are continuing with the policy of the opening to the east, so we are developing modern and safe logistics between the Far East and western Europe through the ports of Greece.’
- Tomislav Momirović, Serbia’s Minister of Construction, Transport & Infrastructure said the first part of the modernised line from Beograd and Novi Sad is expected to open to revenue traffic early next year.
