The China Mail - Egypt Accelerates Construction of 341km Sinai Railway Linking Arish and Taba

Egypt is accelerating the construction of a 341-kilometer railway line that will link Bir al-Abd, Arish, and Ras El-Naqab near Taba Airport. The project serves as a central component in extending the national railway network across the Sinai Peninsula to support regional economic development.

Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir inspected construction sites along the route, focusing on the 83-kilometer section between Bir al-Abd and Arish. Work is currently progressing on embankments, with railway tracks being installed along several stretches of this segment. Eleven Egyptian companies are participating in these construction efforts.

The broader project scope includes two 12-kilometer branch lines designed to connect the main railway to Arish Port and a cement factory. During his inspection, Al-Wazir reviewed progress at seven stations: El-Sadat, El-Toloul, Martyrs of Al-Rawda, Salt Factory, Masaeed, Sinai–Central Arish, and Arish Airport.

The minister also examined construction works on nine road-crossing bridges, one railway bridge, and two tunnels. He reviewed progress on the 85-kilometer section between Arish and Hassana, as well as the 173-kilometer section between Hassana and Taba. Al-Wazir stressed the necessity of maintaining round-the-clock work to meet technical standards and construction schedules.

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

Al-Wazir stated that 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. The project is expected to facilitate the movement and export of products through Arish and Taba ports, providing links to dry ports and logistics zones.

The initiative aims to encourage investment and support industrial, commercial, tourism, and mining activities in Sinai. It also seeks to provide residents with safer and faster transport services.

The first 100-kilometer phase of the project, linking Firdan and Bir al-Abd, was inaugurated last year. This completion restored the railway connection between parts of Sinai and the national network. Construction continues on the remaining sections to complete the wider project.

N.Wan--ThChM