JACOBS Engineering, United States, has been selected by Etihad Rail for a contract to provide technical and programme consulting services for the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) national freight and passenger railway network.

The network will be built in phases to link the UAE’s major cities and industry, and will form a vital part of the planned Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway network, linking UAE’s bordering countries and critical economic centre as well as adding to Etihad Rail’s existing 264km line.

Jacobs will deliver engineering and design services for the 900km network, review and provide critical oversight for the detailed designs that will be prepared by a network of design and build contractors, and provide construction supervision for the entire project.

“We were able to bring together the combined technical resources and synergies of Jacobs and our recently-acquired CH2M team that presents a fully-integrated service offering for this world-class rail project,” says Jacobs’ buildings, infrastructure and advanced facilities president, Mr Bob Pragada.

In May, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to the GCC Railway project, confirming that it will complete its connection to the Saudi network within four years.