Major roadworks around Széchenyi Square to disrupt downtown traffic through summer

News

May 30

SZEGED, Hungary — Major traffic restrictions will take effect Monday around Széchenyi Square as the city begins a large-scale road reconstruction project expected to last through the end of August, city officials announced Thursday.

The 300 million forint ($840,000) project will include the reconstruction of several heavily used downtown road sections surrounding the square, including Károlyi Street and parts of the roadway between Kelemen Street and Nagy Jenő Street. Deputy Mayor Sándor Nagy said during a press briefing at the site that the deteriorating condition of the roads and sidewalks made the renovations unavoidable.

City officials intentionally scheduled the work for the summer months, when traffic in downtown Szeged is lighter because schools and universities are on break, Nagy said.

Construction will begin on the southern side of the square near Kárász Street. During the works, vehicles and bicycles will not be allowed to enter the square from the direction of the main post office building. Access through the area will be reserved for public transportation only.

Traffic patterns around Széchenyi Square will change significantly during the project. Drivers approaching from Belvárosi Bridge will only be able to turn toward Stefánia or Deák Ferenc Street, while several nearby streets will temporarily operate as dead ends.

Cyclists will continue to have broader access than motorists and will still be allowed to travel in most usual directions outside the active construction zone.

The city will also install pedestrian refuge islands near the wide crosswalk connecting Kárász Street and Széchenyi Square, part of a broader effort to improve pedestrian safety in the area.

Road surfaces in front of City Hall and along Károlyi Street will be milled and repaved. Temporary public transportation stops will be established near the main post office building and across from it near Tündér Konyha.

Officials said parking spaces around the square will only be closed where necessary for construction or traffic diversions.

The city is asking drivers to avoid Széchenyi Square and the surrounding downtown area during the reconstruction period due to expected congestion and detours.

The traffic restrictions are expected to remain in place until the end of August.