Szeged to begin Hajnóczy Street renovation with tree removal, officials say

Renovation work will soon begin on Hajnóczy Street in downtown Szeged, starting with the removal of trees along the section between Jósika Street and Londoni Boulevard, city officials said at a media briefing held at the site on Feb. 5.

Tree cutting is scheduled to start Monday, while construction work is expected to begin in the summer. Officials said reconstruction of this section of the street is planned to be completed by the end of the year.

Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Sándor Nagy said the project is part of a long-term effort to create a more sustainable, livable, and greener city center. He said the aim is to benefit not only residents but also local businesses, encouraging investment such as cafés and office developments. He noted that the Tilia office building on Hajnóczy Street was recently opened.

The renovation of Hajnóczy Street follows earlier downtown projects on Gutenberg Street and Gogol Street. Gutenberg Street was the first to be renewed and has since become a benchmark, Nagy said. The ongoing reconstruction of Gogol Street incorporates newer rainwater-collection technologies, which will also be used on Hajnóczy Street.

Officials said about one-third of Hajnóczy Street will be renovated this year, with reconstruction of the remaining sections planned for completion by 2029.

Financing for the project differs from earlier street renovations. Gutenberg Street was rebuilt entirely using European Union funds, while Gogol Street is being financed solely by the municipality. The designated section of Hajnóczy Street will be funded by three contributors: the KÉSZ Group, which operates an office building on the street; the Cool LIFE program, financed directly from Brussels; and the City of Szeged.

Deputy Mayor for City Policy József Binszki said preparatory work will begin with the removal of 37 black locust trees. They will be replaced with 45 flowering ash trees and two linden trees. Wood from the removed trees will be distributed as firewood to socially disadvantaged residents during the next heating season, officials said.

According to project details, the renovation includes the construction of 774 square meters of new clinker-brick sidewalks and 1,200 square meters of new asphalt pavement. Sixteen drainage boxes will be installed to collect and store rainwater. A new parking lane will be created with two accessible parking spaces and 10 standard spaces, and connecting sidewalks along Londoni Boulevard will also receive new pavement. Construction work on this section is expected to cost 300 million forints.

Officials said the local water utility has already completed the necessary pipe replacements in the area. After pavement removal, the state-owned energy company MVM will replace electrical cables, and new public lighting will be installed along the renovated section.

City officials added that if European Union development funds become available to Hungary again, renovation could begin on the section of Hajnóczy Street between Jósika Street and the inner ring road. That phase is currently planned for completion by 2029.

Szeged’s inner ring road, known locally as the Kiskörút, is a loop of connected streets that routes traffic around the historic city center and serves as a key reference point in downtown transport planning.

Tree removal work will be carried out by the city’s environmental management company, Szegedi Környezetgazdálkodási Nonprofit Nkft., starting Monday. Officials urged residents to take note of the work in the area.

Photos: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify