Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Rail has invited firms and consortiums to prequalify by 8 November for the design and build contract for stage 2 of the UAE’s 1,200-kilometre federal railway network.

According to Etihad Rail’s website, the prequalification documents are available for collection “between 10 and 18 October”.

The notice stipulates that the applicants must have international or local experience in executing major design and build freight rail projects covering civil works, track works, bridges, and drill and blast tunnels “to the required high quality and schedule”.

Various sources told MEED in September that a tender for stage 2 has been issued. However, Etihad Rail has not officially confirmed this.

“We were surprised … because the preliminary design has not been completed,” a source familiar with the scheme told MEED in September.

In June, US-based Jacobs Engineering along with UK company Atkins were selected for the engineering design contract for stages 2 and 3 of the UAE’s federal Etihad railway network.

In May, French engineering consultancy Egis Group won the project management contract for the scheme.

The two stages of the railway network are expected to extend the existing 264km track by 600km in stage 2 and 250km in stage 3.

The 1,200km Etihad railway is expected to connect to the Saudi rail network and Oman to form a major segment of the GCC railway network by 2024.

Etihad Rail previously tendered and cancelled construction work for stage 2 of the railway.