The new look now arriving at Széll Kálmán tér is three months late.

Széll Kálmán tér was finally handed over to the public this month after its comprehensive reconstruction. The former Moszkva tér (from 1951 to 2011) is one of the most important transport intersections in Buda, whether for private vehicles or public transport, such as Metro 2 and assorted trams and buses.

The reconstruction work began on January 12 last year and according to the original plans should have been finished in February this year but took an extra three months. Anyway, the result is that the rather gloomy square does now have a new, modern image.This is what changed

The old buildings that were last renovated some 45 years ago have gone: these producing about 1000 cubic metres of rubble from building materials, 100 tonnes of steel, 3000 square metres of concrete, 1390 metres of tram tracks and 3800 metres of road boundary as rubbish. All the electric supply lines running through the square were replaced.
The entrance to Metro 2 was rebuilt and the stalls, previously scattered around, have received a fixed place, just like the new BKK Client Centre where you can purchase tickets, access the MOL Bubi bicycle rent system or contact the authorities.
The bus and tram stops have been modernised and, as is already the case at many other stops in the city, supplied with electronic displays that inform about arrivals and departures. There are new signposts and cyclists have reason to be happy too: new bicycle lanes make the square passable from all directions.
Although Széll Kálmán tér is actually an intersection designed to get people around in the quickest way, the green surfaces have not been skimped and there are 700 square metres of grass and 182 young trees were planted. A special feature is the LED lighting at night, which illuminates the pedestrian routes with a decorative pattern.‘Squandering’ of public funds

About HUF 5.3 billion was spent on the renovation, mainly public money and EU funds. Originally the estimated budget was HUF 3 billion, and opposition party Jobbik has accused the government of squandering public funds due to the overspending.
Jobbik says the result of the renovation is an “optical tuning” that has not improved traffic conditions in any way. For this amount of money, the party argues, they could have put the tram tracks underground, significantly improving the life quality of the local residents.
Jobbik is especially critical of the new clock, which is similar to the old one that was a popular meeting point, and which alone cost HUF 18 million. Jobbik says the changing of soil in the planting boxes cost HUF 3.4 million per time, the demolition of a small dispatcher house cost HUF 2.4 million and laying the new pavement cost about ten times the average market price.

Source: Budapesttimes