freight traffic is also diverted due to construction
The parliament even had to amend an interstate agreement in July in order to allow freight trains carrying dangerous goods to pass through the railway crossing between Röszke and Horgos in Vojvodina, as well as to conduct plant and animal health inspections at the transit point. The Parliament had to make an urgent decision in order to ensure uninterrupted freight traffic, since from the first of August due to the modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade line, which touches the Kelebia-Szabadka railway border station, at this crossing a full track closure is in effect. Thus, freight traffic passing through there must be diverted to the Röszke-Horgos border point.
Although passenger traffic had already stopped on the affected Budapest-Kunszentmiklós-Tass-Kelebia route 150, freight trains continued to travel via Kelebia to Serbia until now. From now on, however, due to the complete track closure, freight trains will move from one country to the other between Röszke and Horgos, albeit to a limited extent. Freight traffic will start again on the renovated Szeged-Röszke line after thirty years.
Just a few days ago, the government provided the police with additional resources of HUF 64 million for the operation of the temporary border infrastructure created for the inspection of shipments. State Secretary for Transport Dávid Vitézy said about the aforementioned traffic restrictions from August, freight trains directed towards Röszke will only be able to run at reduced speed and only during the night hours on track section 136, however, the construction on the main line between the Hungarian and Serbian capitals can be completely accelerated due to the redirection.
The preparatory phase of the large-scale modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, funded by a Chinese loan, began last year in Kiskunhalas with the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone and the demolition of part of the worn-out track. According to MÁV’s previous information, the railway company concluded the subsidy contract for the railway modernization between Soroksár and Kelebia with the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in the spring of 2020, after which planning and licensing began in July 2020, and the investment must be completed by 2025.
After construction and double-tracking, the railway line will provide a competitive service for both passengers and goods. the permitted speed will be 160 km per hour, for which a noise protection wall of 188,000 square meters will be built. The height of the newly built platforms will be 55 centimeters above the rail crown, ensuring barrier-free entry and exit for all passengers.