Work on the main railway line between Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been completed, with distinguished dignitaries from the UAE government installing the final piece of the track in a ceremony that marked the start of a new phase of logistic and economic integration between the two emirates of the UAE.

A report by WAM, the official UAE news agency, said that Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Chairman of Etihad Rail, jointly put the final piece of track in place, thus witnessing the connection of Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a direct railway within the "UAE National Rail Network"

The report added that this is a major development within the largest infrastructure project in the UAE and prepares the way for linking the rest of the emirates to an integrated national railway network in the UAE.

The completion of the main railway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai comes within the framework of "The UAE Railway Programme" which was launched as a part of the Projects of the 50, with an investment worth of $13 billion (AED 50bn).

The UAE Railway Programme includes a national network of railway projects linking the seven emirates of the country. The programme is expected to create economic opportunities amounting to AED200bn.

According to the WAM report, the Abu Dhabi-Dubai section of the railway is 256km long and has been designed as per the highest international standards and specifications concerned with environmental aspects, safety and quality, and will play a pivotal role in developing the UAE National Rail Network and facilitating goods transportation within the UAE resulting in reduced transportation costs.

The section comprises 29 bridges, 60 crossings and 137 drainage channels. The total excavation and backfill work amounted to 46 million cubic metres. Over 13,300 workers were involved in the project, which took more than 47 million manhours.

Shiekh Maktoum said the UAE Railway Programme reflects the country’s ambitions and aspirations to start the next 50 years with huge development projects that enhance its position as a leading regional and global centre in the sectors of trade, economy and logistics services.

“The completion of the main (line) of the UAE National Rail Network project between Dubai and Abu Dhabi represents an important pivotal phase that shows the great benefits of this national project in linking all the emirates of the country and enhancing the transportation process between industrial and economic centres, and facilitating transportation within the UAE,” he stated, and pointed out that the economic effects of linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai via the UAE National Rail Network will extend for many years.

Highlighted the significance of the completed section of the UAE National Rail Network, Sheikh Theyab said: “This will enhance the strategic position of the project at the transport and infrastructure levels, and also contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in the UAE, and the consolidation of its position to remain in the first ranks at the regional and global levels.”

The completion of the section between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is considered an important phase within the UAE National Rail Network, and a main pillar in the integrated economic and development journey of the UAE, he added.