Major Tramway Project in Miskolc Up and Running 6 May 2010
Construction work of the major tramway project in Miskolc called Green Arrow got underway on 3 May. The development of this tramway network costs 38 billion HUF to complete, towards which the EU is contributing funding amounting to a total of 34 billion HUF. According to plans, this investment will be completed by the end of 2011.
The aim of this project implemented in Miskolc relates to raising the standard of public transport services and promoting community transport, alongside reducing environmental burdens. This development will make the day-to-day life of at least 120,000 residents of Miskolc and its agglomeration much easier. A sustainable, environmentally-friendly and fast public transport network will be created along the east-west transport axis of the city, which will ensure equal opportunity along this entire route. The 19-kilometre-long renewed and 2.8-kilometre-long new tramline will connect the city centre and the densely populated housing estate area. With the help of the funding made available, 31 modern low-floor trams will replace the old trams that have been in use over the past 40 years, and 45 modern stops adjusted to these new trams will also be built. This development will entirely transform the east-west transport axis of the city.
This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011, the total cost of which amounts to nearly 38 billion HUF, and towards which the EU is contributing funding amounting to approximately 34 billion HUF.
The way in which the European Commission approved this large-scale tramway development project in Miskolc within a short space of time – as the second project given the green light in the new budgetary cycle – demonstrates the success of Hungary’s development policy. This investment is also of major significance, because major investments similar to the Miskolc project prepared at a high standard represent responses to challenges the building industry and labour market are facing due to the crisis. The Hungarian Government has so far approved 32 major projects, 25 have been sent to Brussels and 17 of these have already received a “nod of approval” from Brussels.
Hungarian major projects include major transport investments, such as Metro Line 4 in Budapest, the development of the tramway network in Debrecen, Szeged and Miskolc, the construction of Motorway M7 and Highway M43, as well as the development of the railway line between Kelenföld and Székesfehérvár.