The first permanent span between Pest and Buda, the iconic Chain Bridge was opened in 1849. Rebuilt and reopened a century later, it was renovated in the 1970s and 1980s, but traffic has increased significantly since then.
The current renovation was due to start in June 2017 and finish by December 2019. The idea was mooted to widen the crowded pedestrian lanes by 80 centimetres but this solution was soon discarded.
The Tunnel behind the bridge, also dating back to the mid 1800s, was earmarked for a renovation of three years minimum, which would have had major consequences for the traffic flow around the city.
In the summer of 2018, the City decided to rebuild the key elements of the bridge, the Tunnel and the roundabout of Clark Ádám tér in parallel, halving the estimated construction time to 16-18 months. Everything is due to start this year.
The search for contractors went ahead, showing in more detail the planned changes on the Pest side, little-talked about until now – the Tunnel and roundabout are on the Buda side.
Over in Pest, the retaining walls will be set at the height of Danube flood levels and rebuilt. The underpasses for the tram and pedestrians at Széchenyi István tér will be demolished. The tram stops on either side of the Pest bridge head, at Széchenyi István tér and Eötvös tér, will still be accessible, but as only high-floor trams operate on line 2, this would require upgrading of the other stops or the replacement of carriages. The design of the Pest bridgehead area has already been created by the Korzó Stúdió.
As for the bridge, its pre-war decoration and tripod candelabra lampposts will be restored, with modern new decorative lighting also added. The Chain Bridge has been often been illuminated for special occasions and celebrations, and this new lighting system would make this even easier with its various colour and technical settings.
