M49 expressway construction to continue to Romanian border

The Hungarian government has decided to proceed with the second phase of the M49 expressway construction, aiming to connect the M3 motorway to the Romanian border near Csenger. Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy announced that the 45-kilometer, dual-carriageway section is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2029. The project will also include a new border crossing to facilitate travel toward Satu Mare.

The first phase, stretching from the M3 to Ököritófülpös, is expected to be finished this autumn. The total cost for the project is estimated at approximately 190 billion HUF. Minister Vitézy noted that the project faced previous financial instability due to past government decisions that redirected funds to the Mohács Bridge project, leading to delays in land acquisition and potential risks of late payment interest to the contractor, Duna Aszfalt.

This infrastructure development aligns with similar progress in Romania, where construction on the connecting expressway between Satu Mare and Oradea is already underway and slated for completion in spring 2029. Once both sides are finished, the two projects will create a direct high-capacity road link between north-eastern Hungary and northern Transylvania.