UAE Railways Project
Etihad Rail
![]()
Quote:
|
Etihad Rail is developing a 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) railway network across the United Arab Emirates. The first stage would be a 270 kilometres (170 mi) freight line, linking Ruwais to the Shah gas field, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Opening is planned for 2013. A longer mixed-use railway is also planned, crossing the UAE via Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Ajman. Links to Saudi Arabia and Oman are planned. In the longer term, a high speed passenger rail link is being considered between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In September 2010 Union Railway sought bids from rolling stock suppliers. In October 2010 the company sought bids from track suppliers. In November 2010, project managers and engineering consultants were appointed. On 26 October 2011, Etihad Rail announced the signing of a 3.3 billion dirham contract with Italian companies Saipem and Tecnimont and regional company Dodsal Engineering & Construction for the design and construction of the 266 kilometres (165 mi) first phase of the railway, linking Habshan with Ruwais and Shah by 2014. In January 2012 the consortium awarded the ETCS Level 2 signalling and telecoms contract to Ansaldo STS. A second phase is planned, which would connect with other planned lines at Ghweifat (in Saudi Arabia) and Al Aïn (on the border with Oman). The railway will be standard gauge. Various techniques, including pulse-filtration technology, will be used to mitigate the effects of fine sand. |
