Currently only streetcars (trams) and buses run on the Margaret Bridge (Margit hid). Until mid Sep Budapest taxis are also allowed, after that no cabs at all (the temp tracks, so called ‘flying rails’ would not be able to support the weight of extra car traffic). Bikers are to get off their bikes on the bridge as there is too little space for a safe ride amongst passers-by.

The bridge touching on the very popular recreational area and park stretched across Margaret Island was really in need of a thorough reconstruction. At least by car or bus, even during reconstruction, you can still go to the island, one of the top ten things to do in Budapest. As for the latest overhaul, and the 21st century history of Margaret Bridge:

All the bridges of Budapest were blown up by World War II Wehrmacht sapper troops in January 1945 during their retreat to the Buda side of the surrounded capital. However, Margaret Bridge had been damaged by this time, on 4th November 1944, when an accidental explosion destroyed the eastern span of the bridge. 600 Civilians and 40 German soldiers died. During reconstruction, much of the original steel material was lifted from the river and incorporated into the rebuilt structure. (wikipedia)

More than 60 years after the WW2 reconstruction, the bridge will be renewed and somewhat redesigned to cater for more traffic on the Buda side with a wider connection, to have two biking routes, to have traffic lights at the island, to make the bridge accessible for wheelchairs, etc. In 2007 concrete pieces were falling off the bridge, and street lights were getting totally rusty. However, the city needed to think over how the reconstruction should be best done.

Hope you will enjoy the new Margaret Bridge (Margit hid) from 2010!

Photo from Budapest Daily Photo

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