Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi and Crown Prince of Fujairah HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi visited the Sakamkam area in Fujairah to mark the completion of excavation works of all the nine tunnels, which extend over 6.9 kilometers.
Chairman of Etihad Rail HH Shaikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was present, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
HH Shaikh Hamad stressed the importance of the completion of the excavation of all rail tunnels of Package D of Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network, which 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.
The network will also support the development of the transport and logistics system, which will enhance the UAE’s journey for the next fifty years.
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 safety and sustainability standards.
The Ruler of Fujairah lauded the efforts of Etihad Rail to carry out the tunneling without impacting nearby communities, while upholding the highest measures of safety, security, sustainability, and environmental protection.
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 tunneling 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.
