General overview of maintenance operations

The Maintenance Directorate is responsible for the preparation of maintenance operations on motorways, highways, bridges, and adjoining facilities and roadside objects, managed by ÁAK Ltd.; the commissioning and drawing up of reconstruction plans; the technical supervision and bookkeeping during implementation, and the execution of warranty provisions.

Functioning motorways and adjacent structures are subject to continuous corrosion and damage, due to the compound effect of several factors. The wear and tear of through-traffic, the erosion caused by weather conditions, and the breakdowns caused by unusual events necessitate regular conservation efforts. This type of roadwork is called maintenance activity, whose regularity and frequency depends on further factors.

During regular reconstruction, damaged or corroded road structures or roadside equipment are repaired, which usually involves their complete replacement. Despite using the best available technology and structuring methods, this kind of activity still generates significant traffic restrictions.

Development of maintenance regulations

With the emergence of ÁAK Co. Ltd., motorway operation and maintenance duties became integrated into the activities of a single company. This and the profits gained from the unified vignette system created an opportunity to eliminate the considerable delays accumulated before 2000 within a relatively short period of time; administer the necessary upgrades and repairs at a consistent quality level; and ensure that the continuous and calculated implementation of repairs and maintenance works remains undisturbed. The gradual expansion of the network, and the maintenance problems involved with sections of various ages and structures, necessitates the high-quality and efficient handling of corrosion and deterioration processes. The guidelines for these operations are laid out in the 10-year plan, which was implemented in 2000 after the streamlining of a 1994 renovation proposal.

Major maintenance operations

The most common maintenance operation is the recurring refurbishment of road markings, which is crucial to maintaining transport safety. The most hazardous defect of the asphalt surface’s wearing course is the appearance of a track, which can only be repaired after systematic technological inspections and reconstruction planning.

In order to reduce traffic disruption, it is important to use the most up-to-date organization methods and rely on continuous and fast implementation, which at times requires night shift. By requiring in the contracts with the construction companies the application of durable, resistant materials, the maintenance cycles can be lengthened.

In early 2005, 75% of our motorway network had a surface of less than 5 years old, and only 2% was older than 10 years.

Bridge Reconstructions

Particularly favorable financial opportunities since 2000 have resulted in an increase in bridge reconstructions. The long-term goal in every case (i.e. all bridges on every motorway) is to achieve a status that is maintainable through cyclically repeated and prearranged operations. This requires continued attention to the selection of a state-of-the-art surface layer structure, the use of bridge maintenance materials appropriate to the purpose, the efficient application of insulation and dilation systems, and the wide introduction of bridge railings with a crash-test-verified retention capability in order to increase transport safety.

The 2004 development report clearly reveals the process that resulted in the dynamic growth of the motorway bridge stock with the construction of new motorway sections. The aggregate working surface of the motorway bridge stock, which has surpassed 34 km in length, is now more than 448,000 m2, and thus constitutes more than 30% of Hungary’s overall bridge stock.