 With the railroad's completion, construction began the same year on the first Aswan Dam and the Assiut Barrage, main elements of a plan initiated in 1890 by the government to modernize and more fully develop Egypt's existing irrigated agriculture, export potential, and ability to repay debts to European creditors.In the north in 1891, a link line was opened between Damanhur and Desouk.The line to Shibin El Kom was extended south to Minuf in the same year and reached Ashum in 1896.