The Chain Bridge’s renovation was first announced a year ago, and this is necessary because of long-term structural decay that has made its carrying capacity unsafe. However, now the project seems to have grown bigger than first anticipated, adding another year to the time frame originally dedicated for the refurbishment that we previously reported. In an interview given to Inforádió, Kálmán Dabóczi, the CEO of the Center for Budapest Transport, explained that the bridge is an essential part of the city’s landscape and infrastructure, thus its renovation will take about 2-2.5 years, an entire year longer than first calculated.
The Chain Bridge was built in 1849, and was blown up during World War II. Even though it was restored soon after the war, and then once again in the ’70s, these renovations were not completely thorough, and were both executed a very long time ago. According to current plans, the bridge’s road, sidewalks, and railings will be renewed, while the stone surfaces will be repaired and cleaned. Furthermore, pedestrian areas will be expanded, a new zebra crossing will be established on the Pest side, and the underpasses of the abutments and the stairways will also be restored. The bridge is also expected to be enhanced with modern streetlights and floodlights with various technical settings, so that during special events, the bridge can shine bright with all kinds of colors.
Some of the original ornaments of the bridge will also be restored, such as the three-legged candelabras. Since the Chain Bridge is undergoing such comprehensive development, renovations will also be carried out on the Buda Castle Tunnel to install new insulation and cladding. The renewal of the tunnel will result in some changes in traffic that aim to better satisfy the needs of drivers, bikers, and pedestrians alike. Additionally, Clark Ádám Square – located between the bridge and the tunnel – will also be reconstructed; car traffic will be reduced, pedestrian areas will be extended and enhanced with new cladding, and the size of the roundabout might be reduced.
According to Dabóczi, this area spanning the tunnel, the Chain Bridge, and Erzsébet Square needs to be considered as one hub from the perspective of traffic, and treated accordingly during the renovation works, which also helps in creating alternative routes for the duration of roadblocks. Although the schedule for the work has not been finalized and is still subject to change, all of these improvements are planned to start in 2018, and will continue for 2-2.5 years. Hopefully, the Chain Bridge will shine in its old glory in the not too distant future, further enhancing Budapest’s breathtaking cityscape. Keep reading We Love Budapest for additional updates on this topic.
