Egypt advances construction of 341km railway linking Bir al-Abd, Arish and Taba

Egypt is accelerating construction of a 341-kilometre railway line linking Bir al-Abd, Arish and Ras El-Naqab, near Taba Airport, as part of a broader project to extend the national railway network across Sinai and support economic development in the peninsula.

Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir inspected construction sites along the route, focusing on the 83km section between Bir al-Abd and Arish, where embankment works are progressing and railway tracks are being installed along several stretches. Eleven Egyptian companies are participating in the construction works.

The project also includes two 12km branch lines connecting the railway to Arish Port and a cement factory. Al-Wazir reviewed construction progress at seven stations: El-Sadat, El-Toloul, Martyrs of Al-Rawda, Salt Factory, Masaeed, Sinai–Central Arish and Arish Airport.

The minister also inspected construction works on nine road-crossing bridges, one railway bridge and two tunnels. He reviewed progress on the 85km section between Arish and Hassana, as well as the 173km section between Hassana and Taba, stressing the need to maintain round-the-clock work and meet technical standards and construction schedules.

The railway forms part of the 500km Firdan–East Port Said–Bir al-Abd–Arish–Taba railway project, a key component of an integrated international development and logistics corridor linking Arish and Taba. The corridor is one of eight integrated logistics and development corridors being implemented by the Ministry of Transport.

Al-Wazir said the railway would support passenger and freight transport while connecting residential communities, industrial zones and mining areas in Sinai to Egypt’s national railway network. It is also expected to facilitate the movement and export of products through Arish and Taba ports, while providing links to dry ports and logistics zones.

The project aims to encourage investment and support industrial, commercial, tourism and mining activities in Sinai, while providing residents with safer and faster transport services, the minister added.

The first 100km phase, linking Firdan and Bir al-Abd, was inaugurated last year, restoring the railway connection between parts of Sinai and the national network. Construction is continuing on the remaining sections to complete the wider project.