King Fahd Causeway traffic: Crossing time 48 minutes and solutions via the Nafath app
The King Fahd Causeway witnessed exceptionally heavy traffic and severe congestion in both directions on Thursday, coinciding with the start of the extended school holiday. This surge in traffic led to a significant increase in crossing times for travelers, prompting authorities to mobilize and implement the latest digital technologies to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Increased transit time and technological intervention
According to field traffic indicators, the average crossing time in the border crossing area towards the Kingdom of Bahrain jumped to 48 minutes , amidst a continuous flow of vehicles carrying families wishing to spend the weekend in Bahrain, which extends until next Saturday. In the opposite direction, the situation was not much different, with the average crossing time for travelers coming towards Saudi Arabia reaching approximately 43 minutes, placing traffic in both directions in the "high density" category.
Routine security procedures, specifically manual fingerprinting, had contributed to increased travel processing times, posing a logistical challenge for the large number of passengers. In response, authorities quickly activated the "Spatial Verification" through the "Nafath" application. This step represents a significant advancement, enabling the digital completion of biometric fingerprinting without the need for traditional manual scanning, thus reducing waiting times and greatly expediting the travel process.
King Fahd Causeway: An economic and historical artery
To understand the current pressure, one must consider the strategic importance of this crossing. The King Fahd Causeway, officially opened in 1986, is one of the region's most significant infrastructure achievements, stretching 25 kilometers across the Arabian Gulf. The bridge serves more than just as a crossing point; it symbolizes the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties between the two sister kingdoms and stands as a testament to decades of joint cooperation.
Economic and tourism impact
This traffic volume is particularly significant when considering the bridge's economic and tourism impact. The King Fahd Causeway is one of the busiest land crossings in the Middle East, supporting a wide range of sectors, including tourism and trade. Saudi Arabian holidays and school breaks are a major driver of Bahrain's tourism and hospitality sector, with thousands of Saudi visitors and residents crossing the bridge, boosting the markets and entertainment venues in Manama.
The current digital transformation, through the use of the “Nafath” application and smart services, comes as part of a broader vision aimed at fully digitizing border crossings, in line with the development goals of both countries, to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience that supports economic growth and facilitates social interaction between the two peoples.
