Etihad Rail completes tracklaying for main line in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah

The completion comes as part of the last package of Stage Two of the project.

The main line of the network extends from Ghuweifat, located on the border of Saudi Arabia, and passes through the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Etihad Rail will continue tracklaying in Fujairah within the upcoming weeks, the statement said.

Sharjah’s line extends over 45 kilometres and is part of the last package of the project, which is 145 kilometres in length. It took over 25 months to connect the emirate to the mainline, Etihad Rail, adding that at least 11.7 million work hours were put in.

“Around 2,900 workers and engineers took part in the project, which involved the track laying works and running quality checks for the new line,” Etihad Rail said.

The line in Ras Al Khaimah, which extends over 5.7 kilometres, connecting the emirate to the main line, recorded more than 1.3 million hours in 25 months, by around 350 workers and engineers.

The completion brings “plays a key role in opening up new prospects in the logistics and transport industry, driving social development, and providing promising economic opportunities in the UAE and the region across a range of sectors,” Etihad Rail’s deputy project manager Khuloud Al Mazrouei said.

Al Mazrouei added: “We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the local government entities in the Emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah for their momentous support in making this project a reality.”

“Last package” of Etihad Rail

The line in the last package of Stage Two, which runs for a total of 145 kilometres has 54 bridges and 20 animal crossings.

“It also has 9 tunnels which extend over 6.9 kilometres along Al Hajar Mountains, and include the longest tunnel in the GCC for heavy cargo, which extends over 1.8 kilometres,” the statement said, adding the line passes through “one of the most difficult geographical areas” due to the mountainous terrain surrounding it.