Since the signing of the Al Ula agreements in January 2021, transportation projects connecting the Gulf countries have gained momentum. These projects include the development of a railway network across the Gulf, the GCC network, and various road and bridge links, which are at different stages of planning and construction, according to the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).
In January 2022, Gulf leaders approved the establishment of the Railway Authority in the Gulf countries.
The newly established Railway Authority has been tasked with policymaking and coordinating among member states to ensure the smooth implementation and operation of the Gulf railway network.
The railway line will span 2,177 kilometers, starting in Kuwait and passing through Dammam in Saudi Arabia, with a bridge connecting to Bahrain. It will then continue from Dammam to Qatar, the UAE, and ultimately to Muscat via Sohar in Oman.
The railway network will feature 684 kilometers of tracks in the UAE, 663 kilometers in Saudi Arabia, 306 kilometers in Oman, 283 kilometers in Qatar, 145 kilometers in Kuwait, and 36 kilometers in Bahrain.
Passenger trains on the Gulf railway network will travel at speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour, while freight trains will operate at speeds ranging from 80 to 120 kilometers per hour.
The Gulf railway project is expected to make significant progress this year with the imminent awarding of a contract to prepare the operational plan.
Speaking at the Global Rail event in Abu Dhabi on October 8, sources informed MEED that the evaluation process is in its final stages, and the contract award is forthcoming. The GCC General Secretariat has set 2030 as the deadline for the project’s launch.
Several bridges
MEED explained in its report that several bridges are planned to be constructed to provide transport links between the Gulf countries.
After being suspended in 2010, Qatar and Bahrain have agreed to resume the $4 billion Qatar-Bahrain Bridge project. The two countries have instructed the relevant authorities to finalize plans and begin implementation. The next step will involve the formation of a technical committee and the appointment of a consultant to work on the bridge’s designs.
The 40-kilometer-long Qatar-Bahrain Bridge will connect Bahrain’s east coast to the northern region of Qatar. The bridge will feature a double highway with two lanes as well as a railway line, which will be integrated into the broader railway network across the Gulf countries.
The construction of the Qatar-Bahrain Bridge was originally scheduled to begin in early 2009, after a consortium of companies led by Vincy Construction Grand Projects signed a $3 billion design and construction contract in May 2008. The consortium also included Qatari Real Estate Investment Company, Hohttif, the Greek company Consolidated Contractors, and the Belgian Deem Group.
The project was initially designed by the French architectural firm Lavine & Shiron. The US-based consulting firm KBR was appointed as the project management consultant, with support from Halcrow, which is now part of the US-based company Jacobs.
Other crossings
Another major international crossing is planned with the King Hamad Bridge Project, a $3.5 billion bridge connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Originally slated for construction in 2021, the project was included in Bahrain’s $30 billion strategic project plan. However, progress has been slow, and authorities are currently re-evaluating the project’s development and its future steps.
The King Hamad Bridge Project involves the construction of a 25-kilometer road and railway crossing connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The bridge will follow the same alignment as the existing King Fahd Bridge. The project is planned to be delivered under a public-private partnership model. In late 2019, the King Fahd Bridge Authority appointed a consortium to provide transaction advisory services for the project.
An $8.9 million consulting agreement was signed with a consortium consisting of KPMG (Netherlands), Aecom (US), and CMS (UK). The consortium’s role was to develop the required funding model, engineering specifications, and design for the King Hamad Bridge Project, as well as assist in the evaluation and selection of developers for the construction phase.
In 2017, Canada-based SNC Lavalin and the UK-based consulting firm PwC conducted a due diligence study for the King Hamad Bridge Project.
The current King Fahd Causeway is operating at full capacity, with approximately 11.5 million vehicles crossing the bridge annually. Over the past decade, the growth in traffic has reached 6% per year.
Another potential project under consideration is a bridge connecting Abu Dhabi and Qatar. The proposed bridge would provide both road and rail access between Qatar and the UAE, bypassing Saudi Arabia, which currently lies between the two countries.
The concept of a bridge connecting Abu Dhabi and Qatar has been considered before. In 2005, plans were made to build a 40-kilometer bridge starting near Ghuwaifat in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, extending south toward Doha.
Road links
In 2021, a 725-kilometer road passing through the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia to Amman was opened, further enhancing regional connectivity.
The highway linking Saudi Arabia and Oman spans a total of 725 kilometers, with 564 kilometers in Saudi Arabia and 161 kilometers in Oman. This road provides a direct connection between the two countries, bypassing the UAE.
When the road was opened, it significantly improved trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia, providing Oman with direct access to Saudi Arabia’s ports on the Red Sea. Similarly, it also grants Saudi Arabia easier access to Oman’s ports on the Arabian Sea.
Source: Al Qabas
