Exploring The Bahrain-Saudi Crossing: A Guide To Must-See Attractions

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. It is one of the busiest land crossings in the world, with 23 million people crossing it in 2022. The causeway is made up of five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water. The largest of these embankments is a sizeable artificial island with customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants. The causeway was constructed in three segments, starting from Al-Aziziyyah in Saudi Arabia, to the Border Station on Passport Island, then from the Border Station to Nasan Island in Bahrain, and finally from Nasan Island to Al-Jasra in Bahrain. The border station is located on the largest embankment and includes two mosques, two coast guard towers, and two tower restaurants. The causeway offers a range of e-services to enhance travellers' experience, such as the ability to book appointments in advance and buy car insurance online.

The King Fahd Causeway

One of the embankments, known as Middle Island, has been converted into an artificial island with customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants. The island is also home to the buildings of the King Fahd Causeway Authority and other government directorates, as well as two Coast Guard towers and two 65-metre-high tower restaurants. The border station is designed as two connected islands, with the west side designated as Saudi Arabian and the east as Bahraini. The Saudi side of the border station has outlets of McDonald's and Kudu, while the Bahraini side has a McDonald's outlet.

In 2017, a one-stop crossing was introduced on the King Fahd Causeway, allowing commuters to complete passport control, car clearance, and customs in one go. This has helped ease traffic congestion on the highway.

Middle Island (Passport Island)

Middle Island, also known as Passport Island, is an artificial island in the Gulf of Bahrain. It is the fourth-longest causeway in the world and is the only land border between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The island is partitioned between the two countries and is spread across 2.5km (1.6 miles). It is located on the King Fahd Causeway, which connects Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province to Bahrain's Northern Governorate.

The island is home to the Border Station, which includes customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's and Kudu. The Border Station is designed as two connected islands, with the west side designated for Saudi Arabia and the east for Bahrain. The island is inhabited by staff from the King Fahd Causeway Authority, who are engaged in ministry duties for incoming citizens and visitors to both countries.

The King Fahd Causeway, which includes Middle Island, was completed in 1986. The idea for the bridge was first proposed in 1954 by King Saud of Saudi Arabia during a visit to Bahrain. The project aimed to improve the cultural and social bonds between the two countries. The causeway spans 25km (15.5 miles) and consists of five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons. It is estimated that 25,104 vehicles use the causeway daily, with the number doubling or tripling on weekends.

Middle Island offers a nice rest stop for travellers between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, with each side providing amenities and attractions such as mosques, observation towers, and restaurants.

The Bahraini side of the Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways that links Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The causeway starts in Saudi Arabia at Al-Aziziyyah, south of Al Khobar, and ends in Bahrain at Al-Jasra, west of Manama. The causeway is a four-lane road with two roadways, each 11.6m wide, and a curb for emergency parking. There are five bridges along the route, with a total length of 12.43km. The first three bridges are on the Saudi side, and the last two are on the Bahraini side. The bridges are connected by islands and dams, with approximately 12.5km of the causeway constructed as a dam.

The border station, located on Embankment No. 4, is the largest of the embankments at 660,000 square metres. This artificial island is known as Passport Island or Middle Island. The border station includes two mosques, two coast guard towers, and two 65-metre-high tower restaurants. The island is designed as two connected islands, with the west side designated for Saudi Arabia and the east side for Bahrain. The Bahraini side of the Border Station has a McDonald's outlet.

In addition to the border facilities, the Bahraini side of the causeway offers several amenities and services for travellers. These include a small shopping and eating area, parking, clean public restrooms, and well-maintained greenery. The causeway also provides beautiful views of the water and the Saudi skyline in the distance.

To enhance the travel experience, the King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) offers a range of e-services through its mobile application, Jesr. These services include live broadcasts, real-time traffic updates, general news, and the ability to purchase entry car insurance online. KFCA has also introduced e-payment services for tolls and car insurance to speed up crossing times and reduce congestion.

The Saudi side of the Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways that connects Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The causeway starts in Saudi Arabia at Al-Aziziyyah, south of Al Khobar, and extends to Al-Jasra in Bahrain. The causeway is a four-lane road with two roadways, each 11.6m wide, and a curb for emergency parking. There are five bridges along the route, with a total length of 12.43km, and seven embankments extending 12.57km in length.

The border station is located on Embankment No. 4, the largest of the embankments at 660,000 square metres. This artificial island is known as Passport Island or Middle Island. The border station includes two mosques, two coast guard towers, and two 65-metre-high tower restaurants. The island also has extensive landscaping, government offices, and services such as pharmacies, retail stores, and cafes.

The Saudi side of the border station has outlets of McDonald's and Kudu, while the Bahraini side has a McDonald's outlet. The causeway offers a range of e-services to enhance the traveller's experience, such as the "Absher Travel" service, which allows individuals to book appointments in advance before reaching the land ports. Additionally, travellers can buy the required car insurance online before crossing the causeway.

The King Fahd Causeway is one of the busiest land crossings in the world, with an estimated 25,104 vehicles using it daily. In 2022, more than 23 million people crossed the causeway, with a rate of about 1,400 vehicle crossings per hour. During peak travel times, the journey can log wait times of around 3-5 hours. However, with the introduction of e-payment services for tolls and car insurance, travellers can expect reduced wait times and a more seamless crossing experience.

The history of the Causeway

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long series of bridges and causeways that connects Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and Al Jasra, Bahrain. The causeway, which spans long stretches of sea and reclaimed land, was built to strengthen the cultural and social bonds between the two kingdoms.

Planning and Construction

The idea for the bridge was first proposed by King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during an official visit to Bahrain in 1954. In 1965, King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the formation of a committee to study the implementation of the bridge. The construction agreement was signed in Manama in 1981, and the project began in 1982.

The causeway was constructed in three segments, starting from Saudi Arabia:

• From Al-Aziziyyah, south of Khobar, to the Border Station on Passport Island
• From the Border Station to Nasan Island in Bahrain
• From Nasan Island to Al-Jasra, Northern Governorate, on the main island of Bahrain

The project cost a total of US$800 million (SAR3 billion) and was completed in 1986.

Renovation and Expansion

Over the years, the King Fahd Causeway has undergone several renovations and expansions to improve the travel experience for commuters and increase the capacity of the causeway. In 2010, the King Fahd Causeway Authority announced a major expansion project to increase the number of departure and arrival lanes on both sides of the causeway. The expansion also included the construction of a commercial centre on the Bahraini side, featuring restaurants, coffee shops, and other amenities for travellers.

Impact

The King Fahd Causeway has had a significant impact on the region, strengthening bilateral relations and regional defence between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It has also provided economic and political benefits to both countries. As of 2010, an estimated 25,104 vehicles used the causeway daily, with a total of 19.1 million passengers crossing the causeway that year.

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