Abu Dhabi light rail scheme development has reached another key procurement stage as consultants compete for project management responsibilities. The move comes as Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC) advances Tram Line 4 toward construction. The project will connect Zayed International Airport with Yas Island and Al-Raha Beach. Meanwhile, the emirate has positioned the scheme within a wider $46bn national transport and road investment program.
The latest consultant procurement signals Abu Dhabi’s focus on strengthening delivery oversight before major construction activity begins. Project management will coordinate design, procurement, construction, systems integration and commissioning activities.
Abu Dhabi Transport Company launched the Line 4 development in 2025 through the GlobalRail exhibition. The authority subsequently invited expressions of interest for its design-and-build package.
Abu Dhabi light rail scheme moves toward construction
The first phase will extend for 19 kilometers and feature 23 stations. It will connect Zayed International Airport, Yas Island and Al-Raha Beach.
The airport-to-Yas Island section will cover approximately 13 kilometers. It will include 13 at-grade stations and one underground station.
Another 4.3-kilometre section will run along Al-Raha Street. Seven at-grade stations will serve communities including Al-Zeina, Al-Muneera and Al-Bandar.
The Etihad Plaza section will add approximately 1.7 kilometers. It will also include two stations and a main depot near Etihad Airways headquarters.
The design-and-build scope covers civil works, stations, track infrastructure, rail systems and depot facilities. It also includes 25 trams, each designed to carry 270 passengers.
The authority expects construction to advance in phases before passenger operations begin by 2030. Future phases will extend the network toward Khalifa City and additional Yas Island destinations.
Abu Dhabi light rail scheme strengthens project controls
The project management procurement comes as Abu Dhabi prepares to manage multiple technical interfaces. These include civil construction, rolling stock, signaling, communications, power and depot systems.
A dedicated project management structure can coordinate contractors and specialist consultants across these work streams. It can also strengthen program control, cost management, quality assurance and risk management.
The approach reflects the complexity of delivering an integrated urban rail system. Consultants will need to manage interfaces between infrastructure, railway systems and operational requirements.
The project also builds on Abu Dhabi’s earlier light rail planning. Sener and Typsa previously developed studies for the emirate’s wider LRT and tram network.
Earlier plans envisaged a much larger network serving major urban corridors. The broader system was previously associated with hundreds of kilometers of proposed rail infrastructure.
However, Line 4 now represents a defined and active development program. Its procurement therefore marks a significant shift from long-term planning toward physical construction.
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Abu Dhabi light rail scheme supports wider transport investment
The tram forms part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to expand public transportation. The emirate expects improved rail connectivity to reduce congestion and dependence on private vehicles.
The wider national program includes roads, public transport and high-speed rail investments. Authorities announced the package at approximately $46bn through 2030.
The Line 4 network will also support connections with other transport modes. These include buses, taxis and future high-speed rail infrastructure.
The route will serve major tourism and entertainment destinations on Yas Island. These include Yas Mall, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Bay.
Consequently, the project could strengthen mobility between the airport, residential districts and major visitor destinations. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s objective of developing a more integrated urban transport network.
The project’s specific construction value has not been publicly disclosed. Therefore, the $46bn figure refers to the wider national transport and road investment package, not Line 4 alone.
The Abu Dhabi light rail project also reflects a broader global expansion of major transport infrastructure. Similarly, the $4.7 billion China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway has reached a significant tunnelling milestone, demonstrating the scale of rail construction underway across international markets.
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Project Fact Sheet
Name: Abu Dhabi Tram Line 4 (LRT4).
Type: Light rail transit and urban tram infrastructure.
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
First-phase length: 19 kilometers.
Number of stations: 23 stations.
Airport connection: Zayed International Airport Terminal A.
Major destinations: Yas Island and Al-Raha Beach.
Al-Raha section: Approximately 4.3 kilometers.
Etihad Plaza section: Approximately 1.7 kilometers.
Airport-Yas section: Approximately 13 kilometers.
Rolling stock: 25 trams.
Tram capacity: Approximately 270 passengers per vehicle.
Depot: Main depot near Etihad Airways headquarters.
Delivery model: Design-and-build package.
Development phases: Three planned phases.
Construction target: First-phase construction expected from 2026.
Operations target: Passenger services targeted for 2030.
Wider investment context: $46 billion national road and transport programme.
Current procurement stage: Consultants bidding for project management services.
Project Team
Developer: Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC).
Transport authority: Abu Dhabi Transport Company.
Design consultants: Sener and Typsa were involved in earlier Abu Dhabi LRT planning.
Management consultant: Procurement process ongoing.
Design-and-build contractors: Procurement process ongoing.
Rolling stock suppliers: Procurement process ongoing.
Civil engineering contractors: Procurement process ongoing.
Railway systems contractors: Procurement process ongoing.
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