Etihad Rail project on track as key construction work finishes ahead of schedule

The vast network will connect country's centres of population and industry

Etihad Rail's inspection train travels from Saih Shuaib to Al Maha Forest in Abu Dhabi, as officials monitor progress in the second stage of the national railway project. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

The inspection train is designated for the supervision and inspection of construction works.

Railroad track workers along the Saih Shuaib line.

From Saih Shuaib, tracks are being laid north toward Dubai and south toward Abu Dhabi, creating a rail link for the first time between the two emirates.

Stage one of Etihad Rail, a 264-kilometre line, has been fully operational since January 2016.

Two trains transport up to 22,000 tonnes of granulated sulphur each day from gas fields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais.

The second stage of the network will extend from Ghuwaifat on the border with Saudi Arabia and connect the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah on the east coast.

The fleet will expand from seven to 45 locomotives, transporting 60 million tonnes of cargo a year.

In March, Etihad Rail announced it had completed 34 per cent of the network.

After the completion of stage two and other future expansion works, the rail network will stretch about 1,200km across the country.

The rail service will carry both passengers and freight.

Omar Al Sebeyi, acting executive director of the commercial sector at Etihad Rail said everyone was working hard to achieve their deadlines.

Railroad cars about to be loaded with metal rails, rocks and other track-building materials for transporting down the line.

A locomotive at the railroad yard.

Omar Al Sebeyi, acting executive director of the commercial sector at Etihad Rail points out changes to the track.

The UAE's Etihad Rail project is moving full steam ahead after key construction work for the second stage of the nationwide scheme was completed two months ahead of schedule.

The train network aims to connect the country's hubs of trade and industry and is intended to greatly improve transport for the public.

When complete, it will stretch about 1,200 kilometres.

During an online meeting of Etihad Rail's board of directors, led by chairman Sheikh Theyab, it was announced that the development was on track.

It was revealed that construction work for package A of stage two, which extends 139 kilometres, and its connection through Al Ghuwaifat on the border of Saudi Arabia with Stage One, which extends 264 kilometres from Habshan to Al Ruwais, was completed.

Officials said the achievement was a significant step towards completing the network on time.

Sheikh Theyab hailed the Etihad Rail team for their achievement, particularly when faced with the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said Etihad Rail had pressed ahead with the project while sticking to safety measures.

What is Etihad rail - and where does it go?

Etihad Rail was established in 2009, and stage one of the project became operational in 2016.

Each day, two trains capable of transporting up to 22,000 tonnes of sulphur, run across the country. Each can haul up to 110 wagons on any one journey.

When complete, the railway network will link the main centres of population and industry in the UAE and will form a vital part of the railway network across the Gulf region, connecting the seven emirates of the UAE to the five neighbouring GCC states.

Since 2016, two tracks – spanning 264 kilometres – have been in operation transporting granulated sulphur from gasfields in Shah and Habshan to an export point in Ruwais.

In stage two of the project, more than 600 kilometres of additional track will be laid down from Ghuweifat, on the border with Saudi Arabia, to Fujairah on the east coast.