Manama: Naif bin Bandar Al Sudairi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, visited the King Fahd Causeway, where he was briefed on inspection areas, services, and ongoing development projects. Ambassador Al Sudairi commended the support of the leaderships of both Kingdoms for development initiatives, including the enhancement of border crossings. He noted that such support has directly contributed to the quality of services and infrastructure available to travellers on the King Fahd Causeway, which remains one of the most vital entry points in Bahrain and sees high passenger traffic.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Ambassador Al Sudairi highlighted the advanced services currently provided to travellers, including improved passenger experience and reduced waiting times during peak periods. He also noted the technological advancements adopted by government agencies operating on the causeway, which facilitate smoother transit, and commended the coordination between authorities on both sides. He expressed appreciation to the King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) for its continued efforts in infrastructure development and operational efficiency.
Ambassador Al Sudairi noted that the KFCA is addressing growing traffic volumes by implementing projects to increase the processing capacity of the checkpoint area, including a 50% expansion on both sides with innovative designs for lanes, booths, and inspection zones. These enhancements now allow for the accommodation of up to 2,500 vehicles per hour, ensuring smoother traffic flow and adherence to safety and security standards. He also highlighted the comprehensive redevelopment of the passenger terminal and the reengineering of operational procedures to establish a single-stop hub for public transport users. These improvements contributed to over 33 million travellers crossing the causeway in 2024, the highest figure since the causeway's inauguration.
Ambassador Al Sudairi also highlighted the KFCA's digital transformation initiatives, including round-the-clock electronic pre-payment for toll gates, automatic vehicle recognition without stopping, electronic vehicle insurance to streamline movement and reduce checkpoint delays, and the introduction of the "Jesr Plus" lane for expedited crossing; initiatives aimed at delivering an optimal travel experience.