Budapest Line 4 reaches milestone

Work on the Budapest Metro Line 4 reached a key milestone last month with the breakthrough of both TBMs at Keleti station. This completes the two running tunnels for the new line from Kelenfold to Keleti.

The 7.3km long first phase of the Line 4 underground system will include ten stations and will connect with the existing Metro Lines 2 and 3 as well as the main line railway network at Kelenfold and Keleti.

British consultant company Mott MacDonald was serving as part of the design consortium. This involved preparing tender documents for the proposed design and building contracts as well as updating the 1998 Railway Approval Design to include alignment improvements and further architectural development. In addition, the company provided specialist input on tunnelling methods specifications and designed the ventilation system for the project using in-house modelling software.

Mott MacDonald also completed the detailed design for the sprayed concrete lined (SCL) tunnel at Bocskai Street Station and provided expert advice on settlement, SCL design and the underpassing of the river Danube.

Swietelsky also appointed Mott MacDonald as environment consultant for the project, responsible for noise and vibration impact assessments for interior construction work at all ten stations along the new line.

Alun Thomas, Mott MacDonald’s deputy manager in Budapest said, “We are delighted to be working on this project. In terms of technical achievement, this is a proud moment for us. We have an excellent track record in helping to deliver metro projects around the world and it is great to be able to demonstrate our world class skills and local knowledge on this important project for Hungary.”