Union Railway is preparing to tender the next round of contracts for its 1,500km, Dh40 billion (US$10.89bn) national rail project, its chief executive says. The state-backed company will invite bids for engineering work and project management. Previously tendered work packages involved topographical and geotechnical surveys and environmental impact assessments. Much of the existing work has focused on the project's first phase, a 265km line linking the Shah natural gas field in the desert south-west of Abu Dhabi city with oil and gas treatment facilities at Habshan and with the port at Ruwais.
"Tenders are now being prepared for preliminary engineering for the rest of the network and for project management," said Richard Bowker, the rail company's chief executive, at today's opening of the MENA Rail Projects conference hosted by MEED. "We hope to announce those in the relatively near future." More than 350 companies have communicated their interest in the project, Mr Bowker said. Other work scheduled to begin soon includes a pilot study in Al Gharbia region into the effects of sand blown on to rail lines.
"We are no longer talking about a concept of building Union Railway in the UAE, we are actually getting on with it," Mr Bowker said.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
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What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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THREE
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5