Renovation of the Chain Bridge completed, pedestrians can now also use the newly car-free bridge

779 days, or roughly two years and two months after its complete closure, Budapest's oldest permanent bridge, the Chain Bridge has been officially reopened.

"The Chain Bridge is not just a bridge, it's a symbol of unity, a wonder in its own right", Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony said at the opening ceremony on Friday morning. According to the Mayor, it was the bridge that provided the spark for the birth of the Hungarian capital just one hundred and fifty years ago. He said it was important that the opening ceremony should not be overshadowed by political issues, "therefore we are still waiting for the government's contribution", he added, referring to the missing six billion forints the national budget still owes for part of the reconstruction costs.

He also said that he was proud that the public consultation had been carried out and that a decision had been reached that is not based on old habits, as a result of which the Chain Bridge will be car-free.

"I was nervous to see whether the bridge would be ready for the capital's 150th birthday on 17 November. The Chain Bridge is a marvel, let us be proud of it,"

the Mayor said in conclusion.

Katalin Walter, CEO of BKK, the city's public transportation company also spoke briefly. She spoke about the joy and pride they are feeling. She thanked the residents of Budapest for their patience, and said that "we tried not to overuse it". They are also proud that the people of Budapest expressed their support (in the public consultation organised by the city) for making the bridge car-free. Ms Walter said that the number of cyclists using the bridge has doubled and that bus passengers can now cross the Chain Bridge in half the time it used to take before. "There will be twenty thousand vehicles less crossing the bridge every day, so this way we are also taking care of the bridge," she said.

The bridge, which was in a particularly bad state and was rusting when it was closed in 2021, has been completely renewed: in addition to the elements that are visible to the public – the painting, the railings, the lighting – the structural elements have also been replaced and repaired. Still, the biggest change compared to 2021 is that cars will no longer be allowed on the bridge, which will be reserved for taxis, buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

András Csohány, CEO of A-Híd Zrt., which was responsible for the renovation, said that the first 18 months saw the completion of the technical part of the work, followed by the restoration of the monumental portions, renovating the underpasses, the candelabras and the lighting. "This bridge is the symbol of the nation, the bridge of the whole country. We renovated it for the whole nation, and this humility guided us throughout our work." He said that the project's participants had "set an example for teamwork, and it is thanks to this that the bridge can be put into service earlier than planned, a month and a half ahead of schedule".

After the speeches, the bridge manager presented the mayor with one of the spanners of the Chain Bridge, and all those present, including district mayors and the constructors, walked across the bridge from Buda to Pest, before it was opened to pedestrians. On Friday evening, the city will celebrate the end of the renovation with a picnic on the bridge.