Bahrain And Saudi Arabia: A Bridge To Connection

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain are connected by the King Fahd Causeway, a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways. The idea of building a bridge to connect the two countries was first proposed in 1954 and the causeway was officially inaugurated in 1986. The causeway has strengthened bilateral relations, improved regional defence, and helped both countries economically and politically. In 2022, the King Fahd Causeway Authority launched bank card and mobile payment services at the causeway's entrance gates, reducing commuters' transit time to five seconds per vehicle. A second bridge, the King Hamad Causeway, is also planned to ease traffic and trade between the two countries.

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long bridge connecting the two countries

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long bridge connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The bridge spans the Arabian Gulf, stretching from Al Aziziyah, south of Khobar in Saudi Arabia, to Al Jasra in Bahrain, just west of the country's capital, Manama. The causeway is made up of five bridges that rest on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower waters.

The idea for the bridge was first proposed in 1954 by King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who wished to strengthen the bond between the two countries. Construction began in 1982 and was completed in 1986, with the bridge being officially inaugurated by King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Emir of Bahrain at the time. The total cost of the project was SAR3 billion (US$800 million).

The King Fahd Causeway features two roadways, each 11.6m wide, with a curb for emergency parking. Its construction required 350,000 cubic metres of concrete, 147,000 metric tonnes of reinforced steel, 160,000 tonnes of cement, and about 11 million cubic metres of sand and rock. The bridge has improved bilateral relations between the two countries and has helped them economically and politically.

One of the embankments, known as Middle Island or Passport Island, has been converted into an artificial island with customs and immigration facilities, mosques, restaurants, and other amenities. The island is divided into two connected parts, with the west side designated for Saudi Arabia and the east for Bahrain. The causeway can be crossed with a National ID for citizens of both countries, although during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a passport and a vaccine certificate were required.

The bridge was inaugurated in 1986 and named after King Fahd

The King Fahd Causeway, a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways, officially opened in 1986 and was named after King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The inauguration took place in the presence of King Fahd and Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who consented to naming the bridge after the former. The causeway connects Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and Al Jasra, Bahrain, and spans long stretches of sea and reclaimed land.

The idea of a bridge linking the two kingdoms was first proposed in 1954 during King Saud's official visit to Bahrain. The project aimed to nurture and strengthen the bonds between the two countries. In 1965, King Faisal expressed his wish to move forward with the plan, and in 1973, he suggested that the focus should be on the construction rather than the economic and financial aspects of the project.

The construction agreement for the King Fahd Causeway was signed in 1981, and the cornerstone was laid in November 1982. The total cost of construction was SAR 3 billion, and it required 47,000 tonnes of reinforced steel, 160,000 tonnes of cement, 350,000 cubic metres of concrete, and about 11 million cubic metres of sand and rock.

The causeway features two roadways, each with two lanes, and a curb for emergency parking. It rests on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water. One of these embankments, known as Middle Island or Passport Island, has been converted into an artificial island with various facilities, including customs, immigration, mosques, restaurants, and gardens. The causeway has improved bilateral relations, regional defence, and economic and political ties between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The causeway features two roadways, with a width of 23.2m

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km (15.5mi) long series of bridges and causeways that connect Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The causeway features two roadways, each with a width of 11.6m (38ft), totalling 23.2m in width. The two roadways are separated by a curb for emergency parking.

The causeway was constructed using 350,000m3 (12,000,000 cu ft) of concrete, 47,000 tonnes of reinforced steel, 160,000 tonnes of cement, and about 11 million m3 of sand and rock. It rests on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water.

The King Fahd Causeway is connected to a network of internal roads in both countries. The causeway's construction has improved the cultural and social bonds between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and has helped both countries economically and politically.

A second bridge, the King Hamad Causeway, is planned to run parallel to the King Fahd Causeway. This bridge will include a railway and is expected to double the movement of freight between the two countries.

The King Hamad Causeway is a second bridge under construction to ease traffic and trade

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain are already connected by the King Fahd Causeway, a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways. However, the King Hamad Causeway is a second bridge under construction to ease traffic and trade.

The King Hamad Causeway will be one of the longest sea bridges linking two countries. The project was launched during a meeting between Bahraini King Hamad and then-Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in September 2014. The 16-mile sea bridge will run parallel to the existing King Fahd Causeway.

The bridge will have four lanes for cars and trucks and two lanes for trains. It will be the first bridge in the region to carry a rail line, marking a real start for the implementation of the Gulf Railway project. The Gulf Railway is a proposed railway system that will connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The King Hamad Causeway is expected to generate significant economic returns for both countries, increasing bilateral trade by 80% in the first few years after construction. Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's largest partner in non-oil trade, which amounted to $1 billion in 2020. Additionally, Bahrain re-exports more than $400 million worth of goods to Saudi Arabia annually, and 90% of tourists in Bahrain are Saudis.

The initial cost of the project is $4 billion, partially financed by Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the private sector, in addition to the King Fahd Causeway General Corporation. Construction on the bridge's infrastructure is expected to begin in 2022, with an inauguration date set for 2027.

The new bridge will also help achieve Bahrain's vision and the crown prince's ambition to make the country a significant hub in the region's logistics sector. It is anticipated to raise transportation capacity by more than 150% and bring numerous job opportunities and economic benefits to Bahrain.

The new bridge will include a railway and is expected to double the movement of freight

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are already connected by the King Fahd Causeway, a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways. However, a new bridge is set to be constructed, which will include a railway and is expected to double the movement of freight.

The King Hamad Causeway

The King Hamad Causeway will be a 16-mile sea bridge that will run parallel to the existing King Fahd Causeway. It will be one of the longest sea bridges in the world, linking two countries. The project was launched during a meeting between Bahraini King Hamad and then-Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz in September 2014.

The Bridge's Impact on Freight Movement

The new bridge will have four lanes for cars and trucks and two lanes for trains. It is expected to double the movement of freight between the two countries. The inclusion of a railway will make the King Hamad Causeway the first bridge in the region with a rail line, marking a significant step forward in the implementation of the Gulf Railway project.

Economic Benefits

The construction of the new bridge is projected to generate substantial economic benefits for both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The bridge will increase bilateral trade by 80% in the initial years following its completion. As Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's largest partner in non-oil trade, the increased trade volume will have a significant impact on the region's economy.

Improving Transportation Capacity

The King Hamad Causeway is expected to increase transportation capacity by more than 150%. The number of travellers crossing the existing King Fahd Causeway has already exceeded its capacity, with 382 million passengers since its opening in 1986 until 2018. The new bridge will help alleviate this strain and improve transportation efficiency in the region.

The King Hamad Causeway, with its railway connection, is a highly anticipated infrastructure project that will strengthen the bond between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, enhancing trade, tourism, and economic growth in the region.

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