The Vágóhíd utca overpass could be one of the gems of Debrecen
The news of the bridge’s demolition appears in the local media almost every five years, even though it is already more than 110 years old, Tamás Balogh told Hajdú Online. He believes that if it was at least given local protection and renovated, it would be one of the gems of Debrecen. He also reminded that the Vágóhíd utca overpass is the oldest overpass in Debrecen since 1910. The bridge was a link over the railway between the city and the industrial area. – I would like this bridge to really play the role of a bridge. There are three monuments nearby: the Attila square Greek Catholic church, the Pavillon barracks and the Catholic cemetery next to us with the baroque cemetery chapel. Here is the former tobacco factory, which is under local protection, but we will enjoy it if the same protection is later granted to the former Sóház and the midwifery academy. The overpass, the capital BRIDGE, would connect these blocks and it would be a real protected block, said the local historian.
After explaining the history of the overpass, he recalled that the serious problems at the Vágóhíd utca overpass began in 2011.
That year, in November, there was already talk of the bridge falling apart, but there was no money for its renovation. now, on March 11, 2014, bicycle traffic was also closed on the bridge. In 2015, there was hope again for the renovation, but the Hajdú-Bihari Napló presented its removal. He added that the weight limit was introduced on the bridge on January 8, 2018, and since then only vehicles lighter than 20 tons can drive here.
As of this year, there is bicycle traffic again on the overpass: on August 11, the municipality handed over a bicycle lane on Vágóhíd Street from the overpass over the line of the former tobacco factory siding to the Diószegi út intersection.
– The current state of the Vágóhíd utca overpass is still deplorable and needs renovation. The walls of the overpass were graffitied by vandals, so we can only see them in a defaced state when looking at the railway. Fortunately, the lights and decorative barriers are there, but due to the rusting, a preservation painting would not hurt either, said the transport historian. – We hope that it will be renovated in its old glory, and that the new two-lane overpass – built next to the bridge – will be implemented based on the old plans. Modifying and demolishing the bridge would only worsen the cityscape, and a slice of the city’s history would disappear, the expert believes.
As this overpass is the oldest bridge in the city, it is recommended that the industrial monument be made a local protected area, and the Debrecen Urban Protection and Beautification Association asked for help in saving the bridge and declaring it a local protected area.
In March 2021, Hajdú Online covered the condition of the overpass in more detail, in which we also reported the position of Magyar Közút. Our article can be found HERE.