Mott MacDonald celebrates key milestone for Budapest Metro, Hungary

Publication date: 24 August 2010
Author: Mott MacDonald

Tagged with: Alun Thomas, Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald’s role on the £1 billion Budapest Metro Line 4 has reached a key milestone with the breakthrough of both tunnel boring machines at Keleti station. This completes the two running tunnels for the new line from Kelenfold to Keleti.

The 7.3km long first phase of the Budapest Metro Line 4 underground system will include ten stations and will connect with the existing Metro Lines 2 and 3 as well as the main line railway network at Kelenfold and Keleti.

Mott MacDonald’s first role on the project was serving as part of the design consortium¹. This involved preparing tender documents for the proposed design and building contracts as well as updating the 1998 Railway Approval Design to include alignment improvements and further architectural development. In addition, Mott MacDonald provided specialist input on tunnelling methods specifications and designed the ventilation system for the project using in-house modelling software.

Mott MacDonald also completed the detailed design for the sprayed concrete lined² (SCL) tunnel at Bocskai Street Station and provided expert advice³ on settlement, SCL design and the underpassing of the river Danube.

Mott MacDonald was also appointed by Swietelsky as environment consultant for the project, responsible for noise and vibration impact assessments for interior construction work at all ten stations along the new line. In addition, Mott MacDonald provided full, detailed environmental services for three stations namely Bocskai Street, Rákóczi and Kálvin Square.

Alun Thomas, Mott MacDonald’s deputy manager in Budapest said, “We are delighted to be working on this project. In terms of technical achievement, this is a proud moment for Mott MacDonald. We have an excellent track record in helping to deliver metro projects around the world and it is great to be able to demonstrate our world class skills and local knowledge on this important project for Hungary.”

References

The consortium comprised Mott MacDonald and local consultants FOMTERV Rt. and Uvaterv Rt.
Mott MacDonald’s pioneering work on Sprayed Concrete Lining is being applied to projects such as Crossrail (UK), Hindhead Tunnel (UK) and Beacon Hill (USA).
Mott MacDonald was appointed by BAMCO, the main contractor for the running tunnels.