Union Railway has released details of its shopping list for the first stage of its cross-country network, with huge contracts expected for the firms that emerge victorious from the tendering process.
That list includes 1.5 million tonnes of rock, 55,000 tonnes of steel and 650,000 concrete slabs.
The state-backed firm is inviting companies to register their interest for the first phase of its plans, a 265km length of rail in the Al Gharbia western region connecting the Shah and Habshan oil and gas fields with the port of Ruwais. Contracts are expected to be awarded next year in advance of a 2013 commencement of operations.
The requirements include 1.5 million tonnes of hard rock to serve as ballast for the track, a rail package includes requirements for 50,000 tonnes of standard grade rail, plus 5,000 tonnes of heat-treated rail. Another package calls for 84 switches and crossings on concrete beams, and 650,000 precast, concrete sleepers suitable to handle a 32.5 tone axle load.
Eventually, Union Railway will stretch more than 1,500km and connect industrial and transport centres in all seven emirates, as well as borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman. The estimated cost is Dh40 billion (US$10.89bn).
