Etihad Rail has awarded a contract worth $230 million for the construction of the central operations and maintenance (O&M) facility in Abu Dhabi. To be located in Al Faya, the contract has been awarded to a joint venture led by France’s Vinci Construction.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council, and Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court made the announcement during an Etihad Rail Board of Directors remote meeting.

He also carried out a virtual visit of the construction site in the Saih Sheib region, and launched the civil works on Package B of stage two of the UAE’s national railway network project. Package B extends over 216 km and includes the construction of a second concrete railway sleeper factory and rail routes to Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Port, and the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.

The O&M facility will be the largest and the most important facility in the network and will be responsible for warehousing, installations, operations, and the maintenance of locomotives and wagons. It will also include an administrative building to control the operations of the whole network.

During the course of the meeting, Sheikh Theyab discussed a mechanism to ensure operational continuity of the company’s fleet in stage one, which daily transports granulated sulphur from sources at Shah and Habshan to Ruwais, according to approved plans. He also reviewed Etihad Rail’s future programmes and initiatives and the latest developments in stage two of the national rail network.

Additionally, the chairman highlighted the necessity to execute precautionary and preventive measures to ensure business continuity, while maintaining performance and productivity throughout the various sectors of the company.