For many years, the through traffic on Main Road 8 was a constant presence in Várpalota’s daily life. People could often tell when a truck was passing by with their eyes closed, simply because the windows would shake.
That’s why the completion of the Main Road 8 bypass under the Széchenyi 2020 program was such a huge relief. The new 5.8-kilometer section now diverts transit traffic away from the city. The project — long awaited by locals for decades — was realized through the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme with support from the European Union.
The four-lane road, designed for speeds up to 110 km/h, features a physical median and grade-separated intersections, making traffic not only more comfortable but significantly safer. Alongside the main carriageway, service and access roads were built, and the new section crosses the railway line at two points on separate levels. The Ősi and Péti roads were also modernized, and noise barriers along nearby residential areas reduce traffic sound.
Since the bypass opened, Várpalota has become noticeably more livable: the constant traffic stress is gone, accident risks have decreased, air quality has improved, and, not least, quiet has returned to the streets.
The bypass doesn’t just bring peace to residents—it also creates new opportunities for the city: faster access, better logistics connections, and a stronger economic position. In short, Várpalota is no longer in the way; it’s now on the right path forward.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project IKOP-1.1.0-15-2016-00006 under the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
