Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway, has recently showcased the impressive Al Bithnah rail bridge in Fujairah, the highest structure within its expansive 900km network.
Towering at 40 metres and extending over 600 metres, the bridge was revealed in a video posted on the company’s social media, highlighting its unique and grand design.
Constructed over 19 months by around 250 workers, the Al Bithnah bridge, supported by 14 pillars at 40-metre intervals, is set against a backdrop of lush greenery, mountains, and local highways, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Fujairah’s landscape.
An extraordinary shot of Al Bithnah Rail Bridge in Fujairah, unlike any seen before. This structure stretches over 600 meters and reaches a height of 40 meters, marking it as the tallest structure within the railway network. Supported by 14 pillars spaced at 40-meter intervals,… pic.twitter.com/EQMtfWUoPn
— Etihad Rail (@Etihad_Rail) October 30, 2023
As part of the UAE National Railway Network, which stretches from Ghuweifat at the Saudi Arabian border to Fujairah, the bridge marks a significant milestone in one of the largest infrastructure projects in the region. The engineering feat involved in its construction is a testament to the network’s scale, which includes 593 bridges, crossings, and nine tunnels totalling 6.5km in length.
The strategic significance of the bridge and the network extends beyond transportation, promising to revolutionize trade dynamics in the region. Facilitating the movement of goods from Fujairah, located near the vital Strait of Hormuz, to the rest of the UAE, the bridge and the network will enhance the connection of markets and the efficiency of the global supply chain. Fujairah Port, known for its strategic position for East-West trade and access to the Indian subcontinent and East Africa, now hosts the Fujairah terminal for Etihad Rail’s freight operations.
Since its establishment in June 2009, Etihad Rail has been closely monitored and eagerly anticipated, representing not only a milestone in infrastructure but also a shift towards sustainable and efficient transport solutions in the UAE. The project promises to significantly reduce travel times, with journeys like Dubai to Fujairah projected to take a mere 50 minutes.