Bahrain is working on two promising projects: the King Hamad Causeway, which will form the second land crossing between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and a bridge linking Bahrain to Qatar.
The completion of these projects could generate significant returns, with economic, security, social and other dimensions, benefiting generations of Bahrainis, Saudis, Qataris, and all Gulf citizens.
Bridges have historically played a pivotal role in economic and social transformations. One of the most prominent examples is London Bridge, built by the Romans in 50 AD after their conquest of Britain and the founding of the city of Londonium on the north bank of the River Thames.
By connecting the original settlement to the lands on the south bank, the future English capital transformed from a fortress into a trading hub. King Henry II ordered the modernisation of the primitive wooden structure, replacing it with a sophisticated stone bridge spanning approximately 300 metres. This resulted in the bridge itself becoming a marketplace after its completion in 1209 AD during the reign of King John.
Old London town
Over time, the bridge enhanced London’s appeal, gradually transforming it into England’s main port and solidifying the River Thames’ role as the kingdom’s most important trade artery.
One might wonder why such bridges were so important when alternatives like water transport were available. While a bridge undoubtedly facilitates crossing, a person in need could simply take a boat, which is no less fast than walking, and carry the goods they need to transport. However, bridges fundamentally alter the equation of crossing, especially robust ones like the stone structure built in London at the beginning of the 13th century, because crossing becomes stable, predictable and expandable.
For example, water crossings depend on fair weather and tides, and if the weather is unpredictable, crossings can be impossible for days or weeks. Water crossings also imposed strict limits on the size and weight of goods transported. The bridge provided a constant connection, day and night, in all weather conditions, and allowed merchants, officials, and pilgrims to cross safely and reliably, transforming seasonal trade into a continuous economic activity.
Moreover, the bridge itself became a commercial hub due to the numerous shops and houses built on either side.
The attraction of merchants, goldsmiths, and bankers contributed to London’s transformation into a financial capital; meaning that the bridge not only connected trade but also directly generated it. Over time, the bridge became a national symbol showcasing the state’s ability to mobilise capital and labour, thereby enhancing the prestige of the English Crown.
Despite the significant advancements in maritime transport technologies over the past millennium, large bridges continue to play a vital role in economic and social transformations, much like London’s experience in the centuries following the construction of its causeway.
For example, Bahraini and Saudi citizens can travel between the two countries by air or sea, with approximately 7,000 people crossing daily in a three-hour journey, taking into account entry and exit procedures. Meanwhile, the King Fahad Causeway, which opened in 1986, allows for the passage of nearly 100,000 people daily in a journey of less than an hour.
Land transport is also highly flexible compared to air and sea transport, and at a significantly lower cost. Regarding the movement of goods, initial estimates suggest that trucks can transport approximately 50,000 tonnes daily, compared to 30 tonnes transported by air.
The efficiency of transport in trade between the two countries is reflected across all sectors. For instance, Bahrain attracts more than 10 million visitors annually via the causeway. This has led to the flourishing of key sectors such as tourism, education, healthcare, and financial services.
The causeway also plays a pivotal role in attracting foreign direct investment by solidifying Bahrain’s position as a gateway to the Gulf Common Market. Several companies operate their regional businesses from Bahrain, exporting their products to other GCC countries via the causeway.
In this regard, the new King Hamad Causeway is expected to bring about a significant leap forward in economic and social exchange between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, particularly with the inclusion of a railway line that will connect Bahrain to the GCC network.
This development comes at a crucial time, as several international supply chains have emerged in the last 15 years, including China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) proposed by the US. Therefore, the new causeway will enhance Bahrain’s ability to contribute to these emerging logistics networks, in line with its economic identity as a regional hub for trade and services.
The inclusion of the railway line in the King Hamad Causeway represents a pivotal step in completing the Gulf Railway system, a strategic project aimed at connecting all GCC countries through a modern and highly efficient transportation network.
The completion of the Gulf Railway system will transform economic and social integration by reducing transportation costs, accelerating the flow of goods, and facilitating the movement of workers, students, and tourists. It will also grant GCC countries greater integration into new global supply chains, enhancing the region’s position as an international logistics hub.
Furthermore, the Bahrain-Qatar Causeway will open new horizons between the two countries by expanding the size of markets available to exporters and boosting competitiveness and job opportunities.
In the long term, this connectivity will enhance the overall ability of the GCC countries – and especially Bahrain – to attract international investment at a time when global supply chains are becoming more disrupted and international investors are seeking promising opportunities in secure and stable economies.
In 1790, upon visiting London Bridge, the English historian Thomas Pennant remarked: “Crossing the bridge was not merely a means of convenience, but a new artery through which the life of the city flowed.”
Just as London Bridge eight centuries ago served as a gateway to economic and social transformation that reshaped England, the two new bridges planned between Bahrain and its neighbours symbolise a similar Gulf ambition: transforming geography from a barrier into an opportunity.
According to Pennant, bridges represent sustainable institutions that foster trust and establish regular, daily connections between peoples and markets.
And, just as London Bridge enabled the growth of trade, transforming the British capital into a global hub, the King Hamad Causeway and the Bahrain-Qatar Causeway are poised to be engines of a new era of Gulf integration, the benefits of which extend beyond transportation to include enhanced security, expanded markets, and a more prominent position for the region in the global economy.
Omar Al Ubaydli
Director of Research at Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)
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