Abu Dhabi and Dubai connected through railway

Feature
May 10, 2022 3:41 pm

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and HH Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail witnessed the connection of Abu Dhabi and Dubai through a railway track.

The UAE National Rail Network is the largest infrastructure project in the UAE. The completion of the railway track between Abu Dhabi and Dubai comes within the framework of The UAE Railway Programme, with an investment worth of AED 50 billion. The UAE Railway Programme includes a national network of railway projects that would link the seven emirates. The programme is expected to create economic opportunities amounting to AED 200 billion.

The length of the track is 256 km and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels. The total excavation and backfill work required participation of 13,300 workers, recording more than 47 million working hours.

Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 with the mandate to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE’s national freight and passenger railway network. The railway network will link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE and will form a vital part of the planned railway network across the GCC.

Etihad Rail has successfully completed Stage One of the network. Stage One is fully operational and was delivered on schedule and within budget. The route spans 264 km, transporting granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the export point at Ruwais.

Etihad Rail is working at an accelerated pace to complete Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, after the launch of Stage One of operations in 2016, finishing 70% of the project despite the conditions imposed by the pandemic. The project is supported by 180 government and services establishments, developers, and contributing companies, and has issued more than 40,000 approval and no-objection certificates.

Stage Two links the UAE and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah Port to Ghuweifat through Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port. Built to international standards, Etihad Rail’s will span approximately 1,200 km, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development.

First Abu Dhabi Bank is financing the passenger transport services project valued at AED 1.99 billion, where FAB will be the Certified Lead Arranger for the loan.

 

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