Etihad Rail: tracks between Abu Dhabi and Dubai now linked

Key part of the project stretches 256 kilometres between both emirates

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Etihad Rail. All photos: @MaktoumMohammed via Twitter

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The first railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is now complete, the authorities said on Tuesday.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed. The new rail line stretches for 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed with Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed of Etihad Rail. The segment of line is a key part of Etihad Rail's network that will carry passengers and freight between the emirates and eventually across the country.

Railroad workers of Etihad Rail pictured during a tour by The National in January 2022. Victor Besa / The National

Railroad workers preparing tracks at the depot. Victor Besa / The National

The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction near the MAG 5 Boulevard area in Dubai. Victor Besa / The Nationalr

Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib area. Victor Besa / The National

One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National

One day soon passenger services will run along this line. Victor Besa / The National

Latest: Abu Dhabi to Dubai railway - what is it like to ride on Etihad Rail?

Construction of the railway line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been completed, authorities said on Tuesday.

The line stretches for 256 kilometres and includes 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

About 13,300 workers toiled for more than 47 million hours to make it happen.

The segment of line is a key part of Etihad Rail's network that will carry passengers and freight between the emirates and, eventually, across the country.

A launch date for services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has not been announced yet.

News of the completion was announced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Etihad Rail.

“The completion of the main railway of the 'UAE National Rail Network' project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi represents an important pivotal phase that shows the great benefits of this national project in linking all the emirates of the country and enhancing the transportation process between industrial and economic centers, and facilitating transportation within the UAE," said Sheikh Maktoum.

Sheikh Theyab said: “The completion of the main railway will enhance the strategic position of the project at the transport and infrastructure levels, and contributes to the promotion of sustainable development in the UAE, and the consolidation of its position to remain in the first ranks at the regional and global levels.”

Etihad Rail released the first images of what the UAE’s new passenger trains will look like in January.

The silver and grey carriages will travel at speeds up to 200kph and can carry about 400 people, linking 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north when fully complete.

A launch date for passenger services has not been revealed but the announced in December of the service marked a key moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009.

Stage one – a freight service linking the gas fields at Shah and Habshan to Ruwais – opened in 2016, while stage two joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km.

The passenger and freight service will run on the stage two line and it is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by 2030. Additions to the route are expected.

The Etihad Rail route - in pictures

Railroad workers preparing tracks at a depot in January 2022. There has been rapid progress on a new line that will eventually carry passengers. All photos: Victor Besa / The National

The new Etihad Rail line will connect 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north.

Work on the railway at Saih Shuaib.

Etihad Rail workers on a railroad overpass along the E77 and E611 highway junction in Dubai.

The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction.

Etihad Rail says stations will celebrate the joy of travelling and designs will speak to regional traditions.

Some of the new stations will be built in the cities but the locations have not been yet announced.

The Abu Dhabi to Dubai line is central to the project.

The train driver takes the diesel inspection line down the tracks.

The Abu Dhabi to Dubai section of the track runs parallel to the Emirates Road (E611) motorway.

Newly laid tracks at the Dubai South area.

Railroad workers preparing tracks.

An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line.

An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib.

Passengers will also be able to use park and rides.

Passengers can expect travel time of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.

Construction of the UAE-wide network is advancing rapidly with close to 70 per cent of the twin-track route complete.

The addition of the passenger rail service marked an important moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009.

The rail track snakes through the desert.

An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line.

Three Etihad Rail workers take a rest, with the inspection train on right.

Stage two of the project joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km.

The passenger service is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.