Sebagian besar panjang relnya berjalan sejajar dengan [[Jalur Kereta Api Ethio-Djibouti]] yang memiliki lebar rel 1000 mm (''metre gauge'') yang diabaikan.<ref name="ft2013"/> Namun, jalur kereta api sepur standar ini dibangun pada [[Hak pembangunan jalan (transportasi)|hak pembangunan jalan]] yang baru, dan lebih lurus yang memungkinkanmemungkinkannya untuk mencapai kecepatan yang jauh lebih tinggi. Stasiun-stasiun baru telah dibangungdibangun di luar pusat kota, dan stasiun lama telah dinonaktifkan.<ref name="washingtonpost2016">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-has-a-lot-riding-on-its-new-chinese-built-railroad-to-the-sea/2016/10/03/c069d4da-84be-11e6-b57d-dd49277af02f_story.html|title=Ethiopia has a lot riding on its new, Chinese-built railroad to the sea|website=Washington Post|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Vaughan|first1=Jenny|title=China's Latest Ethiopian Railway Project Shows Their Growing Global Influence|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chinas-global-influence-is-growing-2013-3|agency=Agence France Presse|date=10 March 2013|quote=But he said that if the old train ceases to operate, it will be a great loss for Ethiopia and for Dire Dawa, the commercial town in northeastern Ethiopia where the main train station and workshops were headquartered. The new station is slated to be built just outside Dire Dawa, a town renowned for its French atmosphere. "Dire Dawa will suffer," said Josef, who is now the director of the French cultural centre in the city. The train station -- known locally as "la gare" -- and the workshops still stand, unused for years.}}</ref>
