MANAMA – Bahrain's delayed causeway link with Saudi Arabia, part of the $15.5 billion Gulf Cooperation Council Railway project, may not be completed on time and a joint study by the two countries will determine the deadline and funding by September. The ministries of transport and finance in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are studying the “best way to finance and technically develop” the causeway that is part of the 2,177-kilometer (1,353 mile) GCC Railway project due for completion in 2018, Kamal bin Ahmed, Bahrain's Minister of Transport, said in an interview at the Bahrain air show. “The target is 2018; I'm not sure if we can achieve it, it's something we will identify at the end of the study in September 2014,” he said. “I hope during the next few years we will expedite this project but it's big, it's complicated and we need to make sure that we do it right.” The link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be built in parallel to the existing King Fahd Causeway, which currently brings in five million visitors to Bahrain annually, he said. Bahrain is also planning another causeway with Qatar as part of the GCC Railway project to connect the six Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have begun construction of their own railway tracks. “It's a strategic project, it's a critical project for us in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, we want it to happen as soon as possible but we're still at initial stages,” he said, adding that the 2018 completion target is “very challenging” and that all the GCC countries are behind schedule. The project is expected to boost the economy of Bahrain, which is an island, by improving passenger and cargo links with its top trading partner, Saudi Arabia, he said. “If we have this project it means everything will be done faster, more efficiently and will enhance and enable growth,” he said. – SG/Agencies
