Etihad Rail completes 50% of the construction work of the marine rail bridge in the UAE

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, announced the completion of 50% of the construction works of the marine rail bridge in the UAE, as part of Package B of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network. The marine rail bridge extends over one kilometre, connecting Khalifa Port with the UAE National Rail Network.

The bridge will play an important role in improving the transportation of goods in the region, reducing the costs of freight and trade. This will support Etihad Rail to establish a rail network for the UAE which connects major ports with manufacturing hubs and residential areas across the country, and contributes to reducing carbon emissions and preserving the environment through reducing truck trips.

Building the first marine bridge in the UAE National Railway Network required 18,300 m3 of reinforced concrete and 4,117 tonnes of steel. The Bridge will be parallel to an existing road bridge, which spans the same length, and connects the Abu Dhabi mainland to the offshore container terminal area.

The construction of the marine bridge is being implemented in line with the highest environmental standards, where Etihad Rail is working on maintaining the water flow through ensuring that the extensions and the rubble of the new marine bridge align with the existing bridge, parallel to it. This guarantees the flow of water, which is an important factor for preserving the coral reefs surrounding the bridge.

The company continues construction works of the bridge according to extensive planning, where it has successfully overcome climatic and environmental challenges presented by the nature of the land’s topography. These challenges include tide changes, changes in wind speed and direction, as well as high temperatures and humidity.

Recently, Etihad Rail has announced completing construction works for Package A of Stage Two, which extends over 139 km, and its connection through Al Ghuwaifat on the border of Saudi Arabia with Stage One, which extends for 264 km from Habshan to Al Ruwais. This significant step brings the company closer to completing the UAE National Railway Network on schedule.

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About Etihad Rail:

Etihad Rail was established in June 2009 under Federal Law No. 2, with the mandate to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE’s national freight and passenger railway network. The railway network will link the principal centres of population and industry of the UAE, and will form a vital part of the planned railway network across the GCC.

Etihad Rail has successfully completed Stage One of the network. Stage One is fully operational and was delivered on schedule and within budget. The route spans 264 km, transporting granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to the export point at Ruwais.

Stage Two links the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia from Fujairah Port to Ghuweifat through Mussafah, Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali Port. Built to international standards, Etihad Rail’s state-of-the-art network will span approximately 1,200 km, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and sustained social development. Upon completion, the railway will redefine logistics and mobility in the region, providing a modern, safe, efficient and sustainable mode of transport that will connect all regions of the UAE to its neighbouring GCC countries.

For more information, please contact:
Etihad Rail Communications Department:
Telephone: +971 2 4999712
Email: Communications@etihadrail.ae
For more information, please visit our website www.etihadrail.ae  

Media contact
Zoe Cusi
Four Communications
Zoe.Cusi@fourcommunications.com 

© Press Release 2021