The proposed new Danube bridge at Mohács is slated to be a monumental investment, marking one of the largest infrastructure projects to date. Recently, the assessment of tenders received for the associated public procurement procedure has been made public. Here are all the details you need to know about the new one-of-a-kind bridge and the person behind its construction.
The person behind the cheapest tender
Telex reports that the contract was awarded to the cheapest tenderer, Duna Aszfalt, which submitted a tender of HUF 294.96 billion (EUR 750.36 million). Duna Aszfalt, the road construction company of László Szíjj, is consistently successful in public procurement. However, the signing of the contract is still pending, as the moratorium must first end.
According to the 2023 list of the richest Hungarians, Szíjj is the sixth wealthiest in the country. His assets are estimated to be roughly HUF 280 billion (EUR 712 million). He is also the proud owner of the luxury yacht Lady MRD. Big names, such as Lőrinc Mészáros and FM Péter Szijjártó, have also previously visited the swanky yacht.
Why such a hefty price tag?
You may think that HUF 280 billion (EUR 712 million) is too much to spend on a new Danube bridge. However, according to Világgazdaság, the project is not solely about the construction of the bridge itself. Building a road network connected to the bridge is also on the agenda and included in the tender.
A much-anticipated Danube bridge
The long-debated construction of a bridge over the Danube at Mohács recently garnered a renewed commitment from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, despite economic headwinds. The primary objective of this new Danube bridge is to bolster local transportation and seamlessly integrate Mohács into the national road network by linking Road 51 with the M6 motorway. This infrastructure is also crucial for enhancing connectivity between regional industrial centres. Currently, residents rely on a ferry, which often proves problematic.
The proposed new Danube bridge at Mohács not only promises to enhance local transportation but also serves as a crucial artery for freight traffic from southern and southeastern neighbouring countries, diverting significant truck flows from the Baja Bridge, located 30 km to the north. Alongside the new bridge over the Danube, there are plans for related road network enhancements and port development, potentially transforming Mohács into a major logistics hub.
When can we use the bridge?
The construction of the new Danube bridge at Mohács is scheduled to take 50 months, aiming for completion by summer 2028, with the bridge structure potentially finished by 2026. This timing coincides with the “Mohács 500” programme, marking the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács.
The commemoration will feature extensive cultural investments, a new Danube bridge, a motorway extension and a new museum. This event is planned as a significant remembrance, contrasting with the subdued 400th anniversary due to the Treaty of Trianon repercussions post-World War I. You can watch the visual plan HERE.
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