Etihad Rail’s track-laying in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah now complete
Stage Two of the UAE’s national line concludes on schedule, with work set to commence in Fujairah
Etihad Rail has announced that it has completed track-laying works of the main line in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, as part of the last package of Stage Two of the nation’s ongoing rail project.
The developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network said that the network’s main line extends from Ghuweifat on the border of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and passes through the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Etihad Rail said it will now start laying tracks in Fujairah in the coming weeks, bringing it closer towards the completion of the UAE National Rail Network, which is currently on schedule.
In February 2022, Etihad Rail announced a $542mn finance deal with First Abu Dhabi Bank to develop passenger services.
The line in Sharjah extends over 45km and is part of the last package of the project, which is 145km in length. Connecting the emirate to the main line accounted for more than 11.7m work hours over 25 months and employed 2,900 workers and engineers, it noted.
Meanwhile, the shorter line in Ras Al Khaimah, which extends over 5.7 km and connects the emirate to the main line, recorded more than 1.3m work hours in 25 months, involving 350 workers and engineers.
Deputy Project Manager Khuloud Al Mazrouei said: “Etihad Rail has made remarkable strides by completing the main works for the UAE National Rail Network and connecting it to the main lines in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, thus bringing us closer than ever to completing the network on schedule and achieving our objective of providing an efficient and sustainable transport network that links the country’s emirates, and connects the UAE with the region.”
In May 2022, Etihad Rail said work on its rail network was 75% complete and, in June 2022, it signed a $326.7mn deal for passenger trains with CAF.
Al Mazrouei concluded, “This plays a key role in opening up new prospects in the logistics and transport industry, driving social development, and providing promising economic opportunities in the UAE and the region across a range of sectors.”
In September 2022, Etihad Rail said it had completed the connection between the ICAD railway freight terminal and UAE National Rail Network.
