Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir recently inspected construction progress on the 341-kilometre railway line connecting Bir al-Abd, Arish, and Ras El-Naqab near Taba Airport. The project, which involves eleven Egyptian companies, aims to integrate the Sinai Peninsula into the national railway network.
Expanding Sinai Infrastructure
Work is currently underway on the 83km segment between Bir al-Abd and Arish, where crews are installing tracks and completing embankment work. During his inspection, Al-Wazir reviewed progress at seven stations, including El-Sadat, Martyrs of Al-Rawda, and Arish Airport. The project also encompasses nine road-crossing bridges, a railway bridge, and two tunnels. Furthermore, the plan includes two 12km branch lines designed to connect the railway to Arish Port and a local cement factory.
The broader initiative is part of the 500km Firdan–East Port Said–Bir al-Abd–Arish–Taba railway project. Officials are simultaneously advancing work on the 85km section connecting Arish and Hassana, alongside the 173km stretch between Hassana and Taba. The Ministry of Transport has ordered round-the-clock operations to ensure technical standards and construction timelines are met.
Economic and Logistical Goals
The railway represents one of eight integrated logistics corridors currently under development by the Ministry of Transport. According to Al-Wazir, the completed network will facilitate both passenger travel and freight transport, linking residential communities with industrial and mining zones across the peninsula. By connecting to Arish and Taba ports, the railway is expected to streamline exports and support dry port logistics.
Last year, the government inaugurated the initial 100km phase linking Firdan to Bir al-Abd, restoring a critical connection between Sinai and the mainland. Future phases remain under active construction.
Why it matters: This railway expansion is a central component of Egypt’s strategy to spur industrial, commercial, and mining growth in Sinai. By improving connectivity, the project aims to stimulate investment while providing safer, more efficient transport options for residents and businesses in the region.