News

Aligning with the schedule, the left track, which was previously demolished and then rebuilt, is slowly being completed on the southern section of metro line M3.

An important and spectacular part of the renovation of metro line M3 is the reconstruction of the tracks of the southern section. During the organization of the work the train traffic always has priority, therefore a new temporary detour was built at Kőbánya-Kispest metro station in order to ensure the replacement of the trains.

In a previous year's report, we have already described how - in line with the renewal of the entire track section - the delivery of each 108-meter long rail in the area under construction is done, where they are placed, how they are welded, and finally, by what means their surface is grinded to the right condition.

The reconstruction between Népliget and Kőbánya-Kispest metro stations is ongoing for two months. Demolition work is still the most significant part of these, as well as the removal of debris and equipment.

During the reconstruction of the northern section, the organization of moving in and out the demolition and construction materials was quite difficult for the experts, since the only surface connection of metro line M3 is the BKV Zrt. Kőér utca vehicle depot.

Similarly to the metro replacement services in the northern section, during the reconstruction works in progress at the southern part of the line - between Népliget – Kőbánya-Kispest stations - passengers can meet various metro replacement services previously organized with the usual frequency and schedule.

Bearing in mind the tight schedule, demolition works on the track section began in parallel with the demolition of the cladding, started previously.

Spectacular changes can be seen in the southern section of metro line M3, currently under construction. The stations are almost unrecognizable, dismantling of furniture, various items, as well as cladding removal works have already taken place in passenger areas. At the Kőbánya-Kispest metro station, the track modernization works were started.

In the renewed northern section of metro line M3, a number of accessibility transport solutions have been implemented, and developments providing equal access will continue.

The reconstruction of metro line M3 continues; on April the 6th 2019, the complete track shutdown came into effect between Népliget and Kőbánya-Kispest metro stations. Renovation of the 4.8 km long south section planned to end in Q4 2020, and cost approximately HUF 42 billion.

In the first phase of the reconstruction of metro line M3, Újpest-központ, Újpest-városkapu, Gyöngyösi utca, Forgách utca, Árpád híd, and Dózsa György út stations were transformed to their new image.

The renovation of metro line 3 reached a milestone, said István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest on the handover ceremony. The weeks of testing and trial runs between Újpest-központ and Dózsa György út stations were successful. Passengers can travel on the renovated section from Saturday afternoon.

The first major step has come for the metro renovation project: on March the 30th, 2019, at 13:00, the renewed passenger areas will open to the public. The new look of the stations, the renewed track section, and the modern equipment is all ready for the passengers of metro line M3.

It was a difficult 17-month period, so first and foremost we are grateful for the patience, understanding, and cooperative attitude that we have experienced in the complicated and tense situations!

In order to ensure equal conditions in the subway, rehabilitation experts and representatives of relevant organizations cooperated to make metro line M3 accessible to everyone.

During the reconstruction of metro line M3, fire protection was given a particularly important role in increasing safety. In accordance with the current National Fire Protection Regulations, an automatic fire extinguishing system was installed in the stations, at the areas near the platform, and in the cable space under the platform.

The northern section of metro line M3 slowly recovers into its original function, and passengers are again walk around, use, and travel across the completely renewed stations. While everything in the passenger areas is slowly getting into place, the tracks are fenced off by barriers, because from March the 5th, the new track will be tested by subway cars.

The smoke test held at Újpest-Központ station on the 19th of February 2019 officially ended the test series, which lasted for almost a month, during which the verification of the most efficient operation of the heat and smoke extraction system was examined, tested and observed by specialists, with the involvement of various representatives of several authorities.

The whole M3 metro line has an automatic train control (or shortly: ATC) system installed since 1990. This automation increases the safety of the train service and makes it easier for the driver to work, as the subway cars run virtually independently, with minimal human intervention.

The reconstruction of the metro line M3 has reached a significant point; on January 29, 2019, the handover and acceptance procedures of the implementation works were started in accordance with the final reports of the contractors of the renovation: STRABAG Építő Zrt., Swietelsky Vasúttechnika Kft. and PRO-M Zrt.

In the case of a major renovation, such as the one on metro line M3, attention must be specifically paid to safety. Before the area is re-used by the passengers, professionals - involving several authorities - carry out a number of tests on the line.

One of the most important parts of the renovation of metro line M3 is reconstruction of the track itself. We have already written about the transport of tracks that are longer than the height of the Parliament building, and we have also published a video report, as well as have mentioned how carefully and well-organized the transport equipment and the professionals must be working on it. After the delivery has been completed, the rails are welded together to form a single rail track - this is also a spectacular process that we have previously reported.

Since the beginning of the reconstruction of metro line M3 in the 6th of November 2017, we submitted multiple reports about the ongoing works, such as the removal and supply of the construction materials, the various processes of both above and below the ground. We also mentioned those special machines what have been modified to tunnel works, and wrote about the accessibility of the stations, and in relation with that, the foreign examples, or the 3D modelling of the current project.

In our usual monthly report, we browse a number of important and spectacular parts of the workflow for the reconstruction of metro line M3, which is illustrated by the attached gallery - the pictures were taken at the beginning of November, so they do not represent the current state.

One can see really spectacular workflows on the northern section, such as installing the escalators, removing some parts of the superstructure at Temesvár street, or renewing the ventilation system.

Among some remarkable as well as meticulously executed tasks you can see the delivery and placement of hundreds of meters of railway tracks from which a written and also a video report was made. However it has not yet been said what happens with the railway tracks after they were placed on the spot.

One of the most important part of every metro line is the ventilation system, however their existence, and operation are still very little known. Their primary task is to remove the exhausted air of the subway and the heat generated by the trains, and to supply the metro line with fresh air.

In one of our previous report we showed how 400 meters of rails can be transported to the reconstruction areas of metro line M3 from the BKV Zrt. Kőér utca vehicle depot.

BKV Zrt. Metro Renovation Project Directorate (MFPI) organized a visit for university students for the request of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology, as the latter is the Managing Authority of the Project itself (since it is EU funded), thus the officials intended to share some knowledge about the reconstruction within the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme (IKOP).

An important part of the reconstruction of metro line M3 is the renovation of the entire track, and an interesting and spectacular section of these works is to replace or repair the special track units, the so-called detours.

Although they are essential part of every metro station, little is known about how to mount or to maintenance them, even though the process requires great care and organizing works from the experts.

In our usual monthly report, we browse some of the most important, and also spectacular parts of the reconstruction of metro line M3, as you can see in the attached gallery - please note, that since these pictures were taken in August, they does not reflect the actual state of the works.

During the reconstruction of metro line M3, a new, modern track structure will be built. The transport of the railways requires precise and meticulous organization, since the 108-meter-long elements are carried to the destination at once. It is quite difficult to imagine a 108-meter long rail, for example, if it were to stand next to the Hungarian Parliament building, it would overtop that exactly 12 meters above the highest point.

From our last report you could find out how the deliveries in general are performed through the BKV Zrt. Kőér utca vehicle depot. In this article we follow a specific transport en route to the tunnel.

In one of our previous report we wrote about the transportation (in and out) of various construction materials and tools, equipmments, and bigger machines to the reconstruction sites of metro line M3 and how essential these tasks are. All these works are done via the Kőér utca vehicle depot.

As we previously reported, there are spectacular changes in numerous work processes affected by the reconstruction.

Implementation of these tasks require high level of work time, schedule. As a result of the construction materials, tools, equipments transported to the area, as well as the completion of the required work, significant progress can be noted in several places and phases of work.

As we previously reported the ÁDI (stationary dispatcher room) are those places what are structurally complete already in the northern section of the renewing metro line M3.

As we mentioned earlier the reconstruction of the metro line M3 does not stop during the summer break.

Professionals working on site perform their tasks in line with the tight schedule, resulting in spectacular changes in various locations.

The reconstruction of metro line M3 is the major project of Budapest since last year’s November. Organizing and executing the required works is a difficult and comlex logistical task, since the only permanent surface connection of the metro situated at the Kőér utca vehicle depot, what lies at the southern end of the 17 km long line.

In our last report the ongoing reconstruction works was the main topic, however as for novadays it can be stated that on the northern section the stationary dispatcher rooms (ÁDI) are in the most advanced state based on their completion. With the support of the other technical areas (such as the track-telecommunication rooms) linked to the central dispatchers, will be an essential part of the renewing control system of metro line M3.

In the reconstruction of metro line M3 - like every complex processes and procedures - certain order must set for the different workphases. Before the spectacular demolition and building, plans must be made by measuring and modelling the stations; these are also key factors for the whole project.

Since our last report many things happened in accordance with the reconstruction of metro line M3 both under and above ground. Thanks to the works of the experts on spot, the changes are more and more visible whether you look at the stations or the service areas.

Most of our news updates were about the reconstruction of the stations themselves, yet there are also works going on in the tunnel as well. Both the track and the tunnel developments are important parts of the general reconstruction of metro line M3, although less spectacular.

A couple of weeks ago on the 25th of May the General Assembly of Budapest voted in favour to make all 20 stations of metro line M3 accessible. On the 10th of May István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest and Ágnes Kovács chairman of the National Federation of Disabled Persons’ Associations (MEOSZ) held a press conference where they signed an agreement of the accessibility of the metro line.

Structurally speaking, there are many examples across Europe for accessibility with incline elevators. These structures and their enviroment could hardly (or with great risks) be served with regular elevators. In Prague, Paris, London and Stockholm incline elevators are operating in different metro stations in order to maintain accessibility.

There are many enamel-made pieces of art on metro line M3 what are decorating the passenger areas since the nineties. An important part of the reconstruction is to restore and renew these pictures.

As we previously reported demolitions were exchanged by reconstruction works in many areas of metro line M3; however plenty of these happened in those sections what won’t be visible for the ridership even after the works are finished, such as reshaping the service areas, replacing the public utilities.

As for every grand-scale reconstruction - just like the ongoing works at metro line M3 - besides the experts, specialized machines are needed to take part in the different phases of work.

During the works all the areas of metro line M3 will be renewed, meaning that currently the works are happening not just in the tunnel but in those areas as well what are resctricted to the ridership. There were many changes (regulational ones also) since the first subway cars put into operation back in the seventies. The service areas in the background will be refurbished according to the renewed directives.

As we previously reported, during the reconstruction of metro line M3 works both under and above the ground are underway.

Reconstructing the metro line is a special task since there is only one ground connection available (at Kőér utca vehicle depot) to move in and out all the machines, tools, materials and to transport the debris. When it is time for metro replacement buses to swap the subway cars, all the flat wagons begin their daily routine under the ground by transporting in the construction materials.

Underground works are going on with the same speed. Experts and various machines spectacularly reshaping both the image of the stations, the service areas and those places with the machinery equipment as well. But what about the works above ground in the meantime?

You can hardly compare the metro stations with their former self now that they are under reconstruction. Removal of cladding, reshaping the service areas put a really distinctive mark on the image of the stations. You could easily imagine yourself in a film set - if it wouldn’t be obvious where were the photos taken.

There are many areas in metro line M3 where even in its operational days only the experts and members of the maintenance staff are allowed to enter.

People tend to believe that those things they don’t see are non existent. However it is quite the opposite about the construction of metro line M3. Although little activites can be noted above ground, majority of the happenings take place under the ground.

People experience something of the M3 metro line reconstruction on a daily basis – mostly above ground. Besides replacement buses many situation which occur with a development this big.