If you’ve ever been stuck in the long lines on the King Fahd Causeway, you’ll probably understand why this story is making waves online. A commuter recently shared how he managed to skip all the traffic while traveling from Khobar to Bahrain, thanks to a brand-new Express Lane — and it cost him SAR 230 (BHD 23).

This new feature is part of a trial project on the Saudi side of the Causeway aimed at making cross-border trips much faster. The system relies on smart cameras at the customs gates that handle self-clearing before leading drivers directly to passport control. Instead of multiple steps and stops, everything is streamlined into a single checkpoint.

 

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

  • The cameras scan a vehicle and pull up the necessary data
  • All information is verified automatically
  • A driver moves forward to passport control without the usual delays

And while this express option is already turning heads, there’s more to look forward to. Plans are already in motion for the King Hamad Bridge, another project set to connect the two countries. Scheduled for completion by 2030, it promises to add more convenience to this busy route. Hopefully, the region’s cross-border travel will be only getting easier and faster in the future.