Sheikh Hamdan ... 59 per cent of Package A construction work completed.

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s integrated railway network, last month began track-laying works across the Al Dhafrah Region under Package A of Stage Two of the country’s ambitious railway network project.

Having started in early 2020, steady progress has been made with regard to Package A with half of the soil preparation works already completed, and 79 per cent of sand and rock cutting also finished. Overall, 59 per cent of Package A construction work stands completed.

Announcing the launch of track-laying works, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said the project has achieved key milestones, with construction progress of Stage Two accelerated, while Etihad Rail’s Stage One continues to overachieve, with 2020 operations outperforming 2019’s results.

He was speaking to the media during his visit to Etihad Rail’s railhead in Al Ruwais. Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Etihad Rail CEO Shadi Malak on the ongoing construction progress of Package A, which will connect the UAE rail network to Al Ghuwaifat on the Saudi border and the wider GCC region.