The Etihad Rail project is helping reshape how the United Arab Emirates moves people, goods and opportunity across the country. Stretching across the Emirates and linking major centres of trade, industry and logistics, the network is designed to become a new backbone for national connectivity. Within this wider transformation, NAMA contributed to one of the project's most technically demanding parts: the tunnel track design for Stage 2 Package D, the section extending through Dubai, Sharjah, the Northern Emirates and onward to Fujairah Port.
What makes this assignment especially significant is its innovative character. For this project, RHEDA 2000® slab track was used in a way that pushed the system into new territory, as this was the first time it was implemented for such heavy-haul railway conditions. In that sense, the project was not only about delivering railway infrastructure, but also about adapting proven rail technology to a much more demanding freight environment.
Designing a smoother transition between mountains, tunnels and heavy-haul rail
NAMA's work focused on the detailed design of the tunnel transition zones, where the railway moves from conventional ballasted track in the open line to slab track inside the tunnels. These transition areas are crucial for safety, ride quality and long-term performance, especially on a line designed for both freight and passenger traffic.
NAMA's contribution included:
- detailed design of the transition zones at tunnel portals,
- application of RHEDA 2000 slab track inside the tunnels,
- design of a progressive stiffness transition between ballasted and ballastless track,
- consideration of heavy freight loads alongside higher-speed passenger operation,
- integration of derailment protection requirements within the tunnel sections,
- support for a mixed-use railway designed to operate as part of the wider GCC rail network.
From a technical point of view, the challenge was not simply to place slab track inside tunnels, but to make the change from one track form to another feel controlled, reliable and durable under very demanding operating conditions. This meant designing transition zones that could handle heavier axle loads than RHEDA 2000® had traditionally been used for, while still delivering the performance expected from a modern railway.
Strengthening trade, logistics and regional connection across the UAE
The importance of the project goes far beyond the track itself. Etihad Rail is part of a much larger shift in how the UAE connects its ports, industrial areas, inland logistics centres and growing cities. By helping create a more efficient rail-based transport system, the project supports a future in which movement across the country becomes faster, safer and less dependent on road freight alone.
Its wider regional impact includes:
- helping connect key economic centres across the UAE through a single national rail network,
- strengthening the link between inland logistics corridors and major ports such as Fujairah,
- supporting more efficient freight movement across the country,
- reducing pressure on long-distance road transport,
- contributing to a safer and more sustainable transport model,
- reinforcing the UAE's role within the wider future GCC railway network.
The wider Etihad Rail network is expected to play a major role in the UAE's long-term development. It is designed to connect all seven emirates, support major freight flows, and provide a more sustainable alternative to road-based transport. In practical terms, that means smoother logistics, stronger regional integration, and infrastructure that supports both economic growth and environmental progress.
Through its work on this project, NAMA contributed to a railway assignment that combined innovation, precision and national significance. More than a tunnel track design, this was part of a much larger effort to help build a new transport backbone for the UAE — one capable of carrying heavier freight, supporting future passenger mobility, and setting a new benchmark for railway engineering in the region.
