Etihad Rail: Connecting the Emirates Through Innovation and Infrastructure

From the Saudi border to the port of Fujairah, Etihad Rail is the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) first national railway system—and a cornerstone of its Vision 2031 strategy.

Designed for both freight and passenger use, Etihad Rail is reshaping mobility across the Emirates while integrating with the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail network. It’s laying the foundation for a more diversified, connected and resilient economy.

Jacobs has been working with Etihad Rail since 2018 as an engineer covering initial Preliminary Engineering Design, Project Management, Design Review and Construction Supervision services, initially for Stage 2 and subsequently for the ongoing Conventional Speed Passenger Programme. 

A landmark freight milestone

The successful launch of Etihad Rail’s freight network in 2023 marked a pivotal moment in the UAE’s infrastructure journey. The 605-kilometer dual-track system connects four major ports and seven logistics hubs. Delivered on time and within budget—despite global supply chain disruptions—it showcases what disciplined delivery can achieve at a national scale.

Jacobs has supported Etihad Rail since 2018 with:

• Preliminary engineering and design review
• Program management and construction supervision
• A new depot and maintenance facility
• A modern operations control center
• Freight and harbor infrastructure
• Procurement support for 38 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons
• Deployment of Level 2 European Train Control System (ETCS)

More than 1,400 Jacobs professionals contributed to this achievement, driving technical excellence, stakeholder coordination and sustainability throughout the program.

Fast-tracked delivery, engineered for impact

Jacobs helped fast-track the Stage Two freight network by completing preliminary engineering and stakeholder approvals—and supporting design-build procurement—in just nine months. The resulting network connects the Saudi border to the UAE’s east coast.

Our value engineering exercise evaluated freight demand and identified where single-track segments could meet short-term needs, preserving future expansion options. This approach reduced cost without sacrificing long-term flexibility.

Jacobs also supported early planning for the conventional-speed passenger system, helping define a mixed-use network that enables both freight and high-frequency passenger services. Designed for speeds up to 200 km/h, the system avoids the complexity of high-speed rail while maximizing national coverage and operational efficiency.

Engineering across harsh terrain

Much of the railway crosses arid desert regions, where drifting sand can cover tracks, disrupt signals and damage equipment. Drawing on experience from Saudi Arabia and Australia, Jacobs developed early-stage mitigation strategies, including:

• Alignment optimization
• Protective design measures integrated into civil works

These early solutions helped safeguard reliability, reduce cost and minimize redesign during construction.

Raising the regional standard

Etihad Rail sets a new benchmark for rail safety and performance in the Gulf. The system was developed in alignment with Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards to ensure global best practices in freight safety, operations and long-term reliability.

By adopting these standards, the network supports future interoperability across the GCC.

Sustainability at scale

Sustainability was embedded throughout Etihad Rail’s design and delivery. Jacobs helped reduce environmental and social impact by:

• Minimizing tunnelling through mountains to cut material use and costs
• Transplanting 174 trees, including the UAE’s protected national Ghaf tree
• Conducting avian, reptile and habitat surveys prior to construction
• Adapting designs to protect the endangered Wonder Gecko in Sharjah
• Using a digital-first approach to reduce rework and waste

With the freight network in operation, Etihad Rail is now expanding to include passenger services. Jacobs is playing a key role in:

• Preliminary engineering for new stations and branch lines
• Program management, design review and construction supervision
• Procurement and design support for the 200 km/h passenger fleet
• Systemwide signaling integration
• Passenger-on-freight strategy and operations planning

This next phase will reduce road traffic, cut travel times and unlock economic growth across the Emirates.