The Pentele Bridge, which spans the River Danube and connects the Hungarian cities of Dunaújváros and Dunavecse on the M8 motorway, will undergo planned maintenance work in 2025. The project involves the replacement of key structural components, including bridge bearings and expansion joints, to ensure long-term stability and safety.
Regular inspections have identified wear and minor faults in the expansion joints that, while not posing an immediate risk to traffic safety, require preventive intervention. Although the bridge remains structurally sound, the ageing of its bearings could impact its long-term functionality. The maintenance will involve replacing 13 bearings and modernising the expansion joints.
This operation presents a significant engineering challenge, as the multi-tonne components must be precisely positioned and installed at heights of up to 50 metres. The work will be carried out over several months in three phases, with various levels of traffic restrictions:
- 18 March – 31 May: Partial lane closure on the southern carriageway (towards Dunavecse), with a 1+1 lane diversion. Three full weekend closures will also be implemented.
- 1 June – 30 June: Full closure of both carriageways, with traffic diverted via Dunaföldvár.
- 1 July – 31 August: Partial lane closure on the northern carriageway (towards Dunaújváros), with a 1+1 lane diversion.
The expansion joint replacement will require sections of the road surface to be removed, meaning some tasks can only be completed under full traffic closure. Additional maintenance, including the refurbishment of protective coatings on the bridge abutments, will also be carried out during the restrictions.