Etihad Rail, developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, has completed the main works of the UAE National Rail Network, with the completion of track laying of the main line in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah as part of the final package of Phase 2 of the project. The main line of the UAE National Rail Network runs from Ghuweifat on the border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and runs through the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Etihad Rail will continue track laying in the Emirate of Fujairah in the coming weeks, approaching the completion of the UAE National Rail Network according to the set schedule. This is in line with the goals of the National Railways Programme, the largest integrated sustainable transport system in the UAE, which aims to connect the Emirates by rail and accelerate the country's sustainable economic development.
The line in Sharjah stretches for over 45 km and is part of the final package of the 145 km long project. Connecting the emirate to the mainline has recorded more than 25 million working hours in 11,7 months. Approximately 2.900 workers and engineers took part in the project, which includes the rail laying works and quality controls of the new line. The line at Ras Al Khaimah, which spans over 5,7 km and connects the Emirate with the main line, has recorded more than 350 million hours in 25 months by approximately 1,3 workers and engineers.
Khuloud Al Mazrouei, Deputy Project Manager for Etihad Rail, said, “Today, we have made remarkable strides for the UAE National Railway Network by completing the main works and connecting it to the main lines in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, helping us to complete the network on time and connecting the country's emirates and connecting the UAE. It brings us closer than ever to achieving our goal of providing an efficient and sustainable transport network connecting the region to the region. This plays an important role in opening new hopes in the logistics and transportation industry, driving social development and providing promising economic opportunities in various sectors in the UAE and the region.”
“We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the local government institutions in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah Emirates for their significant support in making this project a reality. We are also proud to witness this step that furthers Etihad Rail's success in developing the strategic national project, especially after successive successes recently connecting the rail freight station in Abu Dhabi Industrial City (ICAD) to the Etihad Railway main line. We are on track to continue our success story with the support of our exceptional national and global talents that contribute to developing the UAE's infrastructure sector.” said.
There have been significant developments in the final package of the Phase 145 package of the Etihad Rail project, which stretches 2 km from Sharjah to the port of Fujairah and passes through Ras Al Khaimah. In May 2022, Etihad Rail started the track laying activities of the package, which coincided with the visit of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nehyan, Chairman of the Board of Etihad Rail, to review the latest developments.
The line in the final package of Phase 2 consists of 54 bridges and 20 animal crossings. It also has 6,9 tunnels, which includes the longest tunnel in the Gulf Arab States Cooperation Council (GCC) for heavy cargo stretching over 1,8km and 9km across the Al Hajar Mountains. This line passes through one of the most difficult geographical areas due to the mountainous terrain surrounding it.
Source: Emirates News Agency
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