Transport connectivity will be complemented by technology investment in land and sea fibre optics, connecting all regions of Bahrain as the country embarks on multi-million dinar transportation projects.
The milestone King Hamad Causeway and the Bahrain Metro are among the projects which were highlighted by Transportation and Telecommunication Minister Kamal Ahmed yesterday.
He was speaking during a Press briefing to reveal details of the ‘Strategic Projects Plan’ under the nation’s Economic Recovery Plan, at the Arcapita headquarters in Bahrain Bay.
“The new 25-km King Hamad Causeway will enhance cross-border trade and travel with Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC as well as strengthen political, strategic, economic and cultural ties,” said the minister. “The metro network of more than 109km will connect all major population hubs in the country and 20 stations.
“The first line will run from Bahrain International Airport to the residential and commercial area of Seef while the second line will link Juffair and the education area in Isa Town.”
The GDN previously reported that the Bahrain Metro Phase One represents the government’s plans to develop a 109-km rail-based urban transit network at an estimated cost of between $1 billion and $2bn.
Aimed at easing traffic congestion, the rail will be completed in a phased manner and it will consist of an elevated corridor with two lanes with an estimated length of 28.6km and will also have 20 stations and two interchanges.
The King Hamad Causeway consists of four lanes in each direction with a length of 25km, and a two-track railway with a length of 57km, including 7km within Bahrain. The estimated $3.5bn King Hamad Causeway project will run parallel to the King Fahad Causeway and will carry passenger trains, freight trains and vehicles.
The King Hamad Causeway will run parallel to the King Fahad Causeway and will enhance trade between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as well as the wider GCC. Right, the Bahrain Metro project is expected to reduce traffic congestion and provide alternative means of transportation
“The North Road project comes as a continuation of the development of the road network and in parallel with the increase in development projects to keep pace with urban expansion in Bahrain,” added Mr Kamal.
“The project will provide transportation corridors along the northern perimeter of Bahrain and will also enhance the link between strategic and housing projects.”
According to Mr Kamal, the project is about 22.5km and consists of four lanes.
He also added that next generation cloud computing services will be supported by a significant investment in several new data centre projects.
He pointed out that the investment in technology will provide the infrastructure to strengthen the kingdom’s connection to the Internet regionally and internationally as well as providing the latest technologies to cover all the regions of Bahrain.
“It will also provide cloud computing services to major international companies.”
Mr Kamal also highlighted that this comes in collaboration with the private sector to implement a number of projects such as the completion of the establishment of a broadband network in all regions of Bahrain, the project of international land and sea fibre optic lines as well as the establishment of a number of data centres for cloud computing.