UAE – Mubasher: The developer and operator of the UAE national railway, Etihad Rail, has approved the awarding of the AED 4.4 billion agreement for civil and track works of Packages B and C for Stage Two of the UAE national railway network connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The project was awarded to China Railway Construction Corporation, CRCC, and Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting Company, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

"Etihad Rail will sustain the growth of our transport industry and freight carriage sector throughout the UAE, as railway systems are one of the most important means of transport on which countries depend to achieve their economic and social objectives,” Etihad Rail’s chairman Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed said.

Package B runs for 216 kilometres, and Package C spans 94 kilometres, and the two packages are part of the 605 kilometres line from Ghuweifat to the Port of Fujairah on the eastern coast.

Etihad Rail has successfully completed the 264 kilometres stage one of the network which is now fully operational having been delivered on schedule and within budget.

Established in June 2009, Etihad Rail’s purpose is to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE’s national freight and passenger railway network.