The completion of excavation of all rail tunnels of package D of stage two of the UAE National Rail Network will be a key element of the global supply chain and play a vital role in sustaining the position of the UAE as a global and regional transport, shipping and logistics hub.
H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, member of the federal supreme council and ruler of Fujairah and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, crown prince of Fujairah, visited the Sakamkam area in Fujairah, with the presence of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Rail, to mark the completion of excavation works of all the nine tunnels, which extend over 6.9 kilometres.
The tunnels were constructed across the Emirates of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah as part of Package D of stage two, two months ahead of schedule, and according to the highest standards of safety and sustainability.
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the board of Etihad Rail, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the governments of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah and their unlimited support of the Etihad Rail project, one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UAE and a primary contributor to the national economy. He affirmed that this achievement could not have been realised without the remarkable efforts and cooperation of all relevant authorities.
The completion of the excavation of the nine tunnels recorded one million working hours. The project was supervised and carried out by more than 600 experts, specialists, and workers using the latest tunnelling machinery and modern technologies.
Etihad Rail took a series of precautionary measures to limit the noise and vibrations caused by excavation using the explosive blasting methods and their impact on nearby communities, using innovative machinery and equipment that helped overcome these challenges effectively.
Etihad Rail recently announced the completion of the construction works for package A of stage two of the UAE National Rail Network, which extends over 139 km and connects Ghuwaifat with stage one of the project, which extends over 264 km from Habshan to Ruwais. The development of the UAE National Rail Network is proceeding according to schedule. It will play a significant role in providing a modern, sustainable network that bolsters the leading regional position of the UAE.