Aqabat Roads in Saudi Arabia

Aqabat Roads (Mountain Passes) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are roads built through rugged mountainous terrains that are common in the southern provinces of Saudi Arabia. They connect cities and governorates within each province, linking them to other provinces. The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services began constructing these Aqabat in 1977, with a total length of about 264 km, falling within the administrative boundaries of several provinces, including Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Bahah, Aseer, Jazan, and Tabuk.

Cause of the name "Aqabat"

The Arabic name "Aqabat" (Obstacles) was given due to the difficulty of the terrain they cross, including the Sarawat Mountains, which stretch for six hundred km and rise to over 2,500 m above sea level. These mountains are distinguished by deep valleys and rugged, steep cliffs.

The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services has constructed paved roads and connecting routes through tunnels that cut through mountains. Additionally, suspended bridges have been built over valleys and slopes to link mountain peaks with the plains of Tihama. Modern road construction technologies were employed in building these bridges.

Aqabat in Aseer Province

Aseer Province encompasses the largest number of Aqabat in Saudi Arabia, with ten Aqabat, including: Aqabet Bani Amr, connecting Bani Amr in Al-Sarah with Haid Abs in Tihama through Shaib Saqeen; Aqabet Talaa, linking Al-Khadra and Al-Aqiqah north of Al-Namas with Haid Abs in Tihama; and Aqabet Sinan, which is 9.5 km long and connects Al-Namas Governorate with Al-Majaridah Governorate through Khat Valley.

It also includes Aqabet Al-Arbu'ah, connecting Tanumah Governorate with Bariq via Baqrah Valley; Aqabet Shaar, 14.2 km long, linking Abha with Muhayil Governorate through Taiah Valley; Aqabet Al-Sammaa, connecting As-Sudah Mountain with Rijal Almaa Governorate via Al-Khuls Valley; Aqabet Dhila' (Dhilaa'), connecting Aseer Province with Jazan Province through Dhila' Valley; Aqabet Atoud Valley, 11.4 km long; Aqabet Al-Jawah (Al-Farshah), linking Sarat Abidah Governorate with Al-Farshah in Tihama over a distance of thirty-one km; and Aqabet Al-Tawheed, 19.5 km long, which shortens the travel time of a road serving 22,000 vehicles each month from over an hour and fifteen minutes to less than thirty minutes. It also facilitated travelers' access to the Holy Sites, passing through Al-Namas Governorate en route to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Additionally, Aqabet Habu in Aseer Province connects the western highlands of Abha City with Marbah Valley, spanning nine km.

Aqabat in Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province

There are two Aqabat in Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province: Aqabet Al-Kurr (Al-Hada Road), the first paved road built in Saudi Arabia, connecting Makkah Al-Mukarramah with Taif Governorate. It is twelve km long and was initially constructed as a single carriageway in the 1960s. Aqabet Al-Hada is considered the highest Aqabah in Saudi Arabia, reaching an elevation of two thousand m above sea level. The second, Aqabet Al-Muhammadiyah, nineteen km long, links Al-Shafa Center in Taif Governorate with Tihama via the Non-Muslims Road, connecting Taif and Jeddah south of Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Aqabat in Al-Bahah Province

Al-Bahah Province contains several Aqabat, including: Aqabet Al-Bahah, forty-six km long, connecting Al-Bahah City with Al-Mikhwah Governorate and its affiliated centers in Tihama through Rash Valley; and Aqabet Al-Abnaa, linking Baljurashi Governorate with Namirah Center in Al-Urdiyah Al-Shamaliyah in Tihama. Other Aqabat include Aqabet Haznah, Aqabet Qilwah, Aqabet Dhi Manaa, and Aqabet Sabh.

In Tabuk Province, there is Aqabet Bada. Additionally, throughout Saudi Arabia, locals have constructed unpaved dirt Aqabat, along with several paved roads cutting through Tihama mountains, such as Fayfa Mountain, Al-Abadil Mountain, Nira Mountain, Shada Mountain, Barkouk Mountain, Rayman Mountain, Hadah Mountain, Durum Mountain, and others.

Traffic signs on Aqabat roads in Saudi Arabia

Several traffic signs are placed along Aqabat roads, including warning, informational, educational, and regulatory signs. These include: no overtaking, no stopping or parking, slippery road, uneven road, dangerous slope, double bend first to the right, double bend first to the left, repair center information sign, and other signs.

In 2016, the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services established a control room for the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and tunnel monitoring and control system. It also activated contracts for routine, electrical, and preventive maintenance, as well as bridge and structure inspection and evaluation across Saudi Arabia. This involved mapping treatment patterns aligned with Saudi Arabia's road network, assessing and identifying them according to advanced global practices to transform them into smart roads.

Maintenance work on Aqabat roads in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services conducts regular maintenance and safety work on mountain passes, following standard specifications that meet international standards. Preventive maintenance is also performed to address landslides that affect road safety by reinforcing mountain cut slopes and building retaining walls at various sites to protect roads from either mountain or valley sides. These measures aim to strengthen road networks, improve their quality indicators, increase traffic safety levels, and enhance the quality of life and services provided for road users.

Maintenance work also includes the construction of bridges and multiple protective measures against rockfalls, culverts for rainwater drainage, and improvements in traffic safety through road markings, cat's eyes, warning signs, and resurfacing.