The UAE's Union Railway has invited tenders to construct a 264km rail line in the west of the region.
The work is expected to include civil and track work on the first phase of the UAE's Shah Habshan railway project, which is scheduled for completion in 2014.
The cross-country network is estimated to cost between AED30bn-40bn ($8bn-$11bn), according to constructionweekonline.com.
Freight trains on the line are expected to run at speeds of up to 120km/h and passenger trains up to 200km/h.
