UAE rail system could cost US$8.2bn

ON TRACK: The engineering contract for the UAE railway project will be awarded in Q1 2010

A UAE-wide railway system could cost around US$8.2 billion (AED30 billion) to construct, according to a local newspaper.

Union Railways chairman Hussain al Nowais estimated the project could be built over the next five to eight years, according to The National.

“The development we are envisaging in the UAE will be accelerated through this logistical network,” said al Nowais. “It will be faster and safer, less polluting and more efficient.”

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He said that Union Railways would be awarding a consulting contract shortly, while an engineering firm, will be selected in Q1 2010. Al Nowais also suggested that construction contracts could be issued by the end of 2010.

The rail system is planned to eventually connect with the proposed GCC-wide network. “Discussions on the Gulf railway have accelerated in the last few years,” Mr al Nowais said. “The UAE is going to co-operate, to link to Saudi Arabia, to link to Oman.”