$2.5B Oman–UAE Hafeet Rail Project Enters Heavy Civil Phase

Work has shifted into complex mountain tunneling and structural construction across the 238-km cross-border corridor

By Bryan Gottlieb

Image courtesy of Hafeet Rail

Earthworks crews advance grading operations along the 238-km Oman–UAE Hafeet Rail corridor as tunneling work begins in the Hajar Mountains.

April 27, 2026

Construction of the first cross-border railway between Oman and the United Arab Emirates has reached 40% completion, with tunneling advancing through the Hajar Mountains and more than 27 million cu meters of earthworks completed across the 238-km corridor, Hafeet Rail announced April 21.

Crews are also advancing 57 bridge structures across mountainous and wadi terrain, reflecting the scale of structural work now underway.

Hafeet Rail is a joint venture of Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Co. The total program cost is approximately $2.5 billion, according to Oman's Ministry of Finance. No completion date has been announced; Hafeet Rail said it is working to establish the project's operational timeline.

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Hafeet Rail | Project Overview

"Reaching the 40% completion milestone reflects the strong foundations of this project," said Ahmed AlMusawa AlHashemi, CEO of Hafeet Rail. "As we move into the next phase of delivery, our focus remains on maintaining momentum, strengthening collaboration among partners, and ensuring the project delivers long-term value in line with the highest international standards."

AlHashemi said the project has logged 10 million safe work hours without a major injury across all construction sites.

Work is advancing simultaneously across Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar and Wadi Al Jizzi, where the alignment crosses urban, industrial and mountainous terrain requiring specialized engineering solutions. To date, more than 100,000 cu m of concrete have been placed, with 80 structures under construction.

Crews have also driven 900 piles and installed 130 box culverts, advancing toward a total of 881 culverts across the corridor, according to Hafeet Rail and Oman Ministry of Finance disclosures.

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Ophiolite Geology and Drill-and-Blast Excavation

The project has entered a critical phase in Oman's Al Buraimi Governorate, where excavation is advancing on tunnels through the Hajar Mountains. Access roads and portal works are complete ahead of full tunnel drives on a corridor that includes about 2,500 m of total tunnel length.

Map shows the 238-km Oman–UAE Hafeet Rail corridor linking Sohar Port in Oman to the UAE national rail network near Abu Dhabi, including connections through Al Buraimi and Al Ain.

Map courtesy of Hafeet Rail

The Hajar Mountains present complex geologic conditions for tunneling, consisting largely of ophiolite rock formations—uplifted oceanic crust composed of ultramafic and mafic materials such as peridotite and gabbro.

Ophiolite formations are typically highly fractured and variable in strength, conditions that generally require controlled drill-and-blast excavation, intensive ground support and continuous geotechnical monitoring.

Project disclosures indicate excavation and blasting are underway at tunnel portals, with full drives expected to proceed sequentially as access, stabilization and support systems are completed, allowing tunneling, structural lining and subsequent track installation to advance in staged progression through the mountain corridor.

The alignment also incorporates 39 underpasses integrated into drainage and access systems, alongside flood protection measures designed to maintain operational reliability in a region prone to episodic wadi flooding.

Bridge construction is advancing in parallel, with 57 structures—comprising 36 viaducts and 21 over-bridges—underway across the corridor. Some rise to about 34 m in height, reflecting terrain complexity and hydraulic design requirements.