A 19 kilometer tram line is being laid out in Abu Dhabi from the airport to the seaside. The prosperity of Yas Island and the leisure of Laha Beach will be connected to Zayed International Airport by rail, adding another dynamic link to the travel map of this bay city.

Consulting first to explore

ADTC, the Abu Dhabi Transport Company in the United Arab Emirates, has initiated the bidding process for the management engineering consulting service contract for the tram line 4 project, and has issued a pre qualification invitation to the consulting consultants. The deadline for submission is November 9, 2026. The project has a total length of 19 kilometers and 23 stations, connecting Zayed International Airport, Yas Island, and Laha Beach. There are 14 stations in the approximately 13 kilometer section from the airport to Yas Island, 7 stations in the approximately 4.3 kilometer section from Laha Island, and 2 stations in the approximately 1.7 kilometer section from Etihad Square. Adopting the design and construction general contracting mode, including the procurement of 25 tram trains, it is expected to start construction in 2027 and operate in 2030. Keywords: Abu Dhabi tram, Chinese owned rail transit

Chinese enterprises are gaining momentum

After selecting the general contractor for the project, they will be responsible for all design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and certification, covering civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, stations, tracks, and railway systems. The general contracting qualification intention solicitation has been launched in October 2025, and the shortlist has not yet been announced through public channels. Chinese enterprises have a strong foundation in the UAE rail transit industry. CSCEC and CRCC participated in the construction of the second phase of the national railway, and CRRC supplied them with trains and high-speed trains. The consortium also won the bid for the Dubai Metro Blue Line and the Abu Dhabi Dubai High Speed Railway.Editor/Min Jing