Budapest’s most revered landmarks, Chain Bridge, is soon due for long-term renovation. Contrary to original plans after its closure on 17 March, the Pest and Buda bridgehead underpasses remain open for cyclists and pedestrians. While the Pest side is due to close on 16 April, the Buda side will remain open for another two months due to the increased cycle traffic.
Cyclists and pedestrians will still be able to use the Chain Bridge
underpass on the Pest side until 16 April and the Buda side for another two
months, reports MTI.
After that, the Buda underpass will not only be widened,
but its curve will also be changed, making it optimised for cyclists.
Construction will proceed in parallel with the demolition. During the renovation, the asphalt layer will be sliced, the old parts removed from the middle of the bridge towards the edges. This process is expected to start at the end of the summer.
Approximately 700 cubic metres of the reinforced concrete structure will be
demolished, and the weight of the new steel structure to be installed will
reach 1,000 tonnes.
An area of about 80,000 square metres will be provided
with corrosion-protective coating. Much of this new structure will be manufactured
in Csepel and transported by road on pre-authorised routes at night.
Pedestrians will not be able to cross the bridge until the renovation is due to be completed in 2023. The bridge will be closed to car traffic in mid-June and is expected to be reopened for road vehicles in December 2022.
