This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Article has apparently not been updated since 2011, or even 2008 in places. It makes no note of the described plans' fates, nor does it mention recent developments on the existing lines, for example the closure of the Aqaba Railway in March 2018. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(February 2023)
In the 2000s, Jordanian government began acquiring land for new rail routes. Following a study by BNP Paribas, three routes were planned, which were expected to be tendered later in 2010. The three routes were:[1]
From the Syrian border, via Zarqa, to the Saudi border; replacing part of the Hejaz Railway;
Connecting the first line to Aqaba, and from Mafraq to Irbid, replacing another part of the Hedjaz railway;
A link to the Iraqi border.
However, in late 2010, the government announced an economic relief package and following the 2011 Jordanian protests it was decided to reduce the expected three-year capital investment plan in the national railway network by 72 percent, partly to fund the relief package.[2] Therefore, it is unclear when the railways expansion plan will be carried out.[needs update]
There are also plans for a light rail system operating between Amman and Zarqa, and a metro line in Amman.
Currently, two connected but non-contiguously operated sections of the Hedjaz Railway exist:
In August 2011, the Jordanian government approved the construction of the railway from Aqaba to the Iraqi border (near Trebil). The Iraqis in the meantime started the construction of the line from the border to their current railhead at Ramadi.[3]
In 2019 they signed a memorandum of understanding with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority to invest 500 million JD (around $700 million) to redevelop the Aqaba-Ma'an railway alongside building a dry port in Ma'an.[4][5] It plans to upgrade the trains 1050mm built in 1975 to 1435mm.[5]
