Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Rail has received prequalification applications from potential bidders for design and build contracts on stage 2 of the UAE’s 1,200-kilometre federal railway network.

According to MEED Projects, firms that have sought to prequalify for the contract so far include:

• Acciona Group (Spain)
• Arabtec Construction (local)
• Dodsal Engineering (local)
• China Railway Construction Corporation (China)
• Ghantoot Group (local)
• Orascom Construction
• Salini Impregilo (Italy)
• Six Construct (Belgium/local)
• Tata Projects (India)

MEED understands the work for which the client is seeking to prequalify bidders is for the four remaining packages – B, C, D and F - of Etihad railway’s stage 2.

The bidding process for package A is now under way.

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.