Dubai’s RTA reveals road closures, traffic diversions for New Year’s eve

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced road closures and diversions to regulate traffic flow on Saturday, December 31.

The RTA’s plan will also seek to manage increased use of public transport systems, a statement said.

Metha bin Udai, CEO of Traffic & Roads Agency said: “The RTA has mapped out the operational plan necessary for serving commuters on the eve of the New Year, which normally experiences traffic congestion. The plan covers Burj Khalifa district where massive numbers of signboards are being installed to direct traffic from and to the area.”

Road closures

* On the New Year’s eve, RTA will close Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard from 6pm to 8pm according to the overall traffic flow.

* The upper and lower decks of the Financial Center Road will be closed at 8pm.

* The closure of Al Saada Road will be as follows: Al Murooj Rotana intersection leading to Burj Khalifa and Tunnel at 6pm, Zabeel Intersection at 8pm and Emirates Towers roundabout leading to Al Saada Road at 10pm.

* The Al Asayel Road will be closed at 4pm (it will be used for public transport and VIP passage).

* The Al Sukook Road will be closed at 8pm.

Metro station closure

The RTA also confirmed that the Burj Khalifa metro station will be closed from 10pm to 6am (of the following day).

Diversions

Traffic will be diverted to multiple directions including Oud Metha Road, Al Asayel Road, Zabeel bridges, Al Saada Road, and internal roads at the Business Bay area to access Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road in order to ease the pressure on the Financial Center Road, the RTA said.

Light signals on the Financial Center Road and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard would also be monitored and controlled to ensure the maximum possible traffic flow at peak hours.

Parking

The RTA said it will provide about 17,000 car parks at Emaar District comprising parking lots of Dubai Mall and the surrounding areas and 5,000 parking slots outside the events area.

Alternative parking spots include 2,000 at Al Wasl Club, 1,500 at Musalla (Mankhool) at Trade Center, 500 at the Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Jafiliya, and 1,000 at Zabeel Park.

Shuttle buses will transport public from these parking spots to the events area.

“Virtual messaging signs will be used to alert motorists about the required road closures and direct the public to use alternative car parks,” the statement added.

The RTA also said it will designate a point over the Sheikh Zayed Road near Burj Khalifa metro station for pedestrian crossing, which will monitored by Dubai Police.

Public buses

Bus routes are expected to serve about 60,000 commuters on New Year’s eve, especially when people leave the Burj Khalifa site, according to the RTA.

About 22,000 people are expected to be transported between 12.30am up to 4am. Directional signs will guide people to public buses at the pick-up, drop-off points on Al Abraj Road (behind Vida Hotel).

“The Bus Operational Plan is expected to expedite bus arrivals at Burj Khalifa, especially during departure,” the RTA said.

A total of 160 buses will be operated to feed the metro lines and alternative parking areas over and above the existing routes serving the area as follows:

* 10 buses on Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi. Pick up point at Burj Khalifa metro station and Noor Bank metro station.

* 40 buses on the Sheikh Zayed Road service road to Al Wasl Club, Zabeel Park, Al Jafiliya (Residency & Foreign Affairs Department) and Deira City Center parking spots.

* 50 buses on Al Saada Road to transport people to the events area and to the Trade Center and Al Wasl Club parking areas. The service will return to the pick up point on Al Abraj Road.

* 20 buses from the Business Bay metro station to the parking of Al Wasl Club.

* 20 buses serving pick-up, drop-off points along Al Abraj Road through Al Asayel Road and Al Wasl Club parking spots.

* 20 buses from the sand area behind Al Bayan newspaper office near Dubai Water Canal to Deira City Center through Umm Amara Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Meydan Road and Sheikh Rashid Road.

Metro and Tram services

On Saturday, 900,000 people are expected to ride on the Dubai Metro, while up to 480,000 commuters are also anticipated on Sunday, January 1.

The service frequency will range from 2.38 minutes to 8 minutes, the RTA said.

The Tram will also see big crowds with 28,000 people expected on Saturday and 19,500 people anticipated to use the service on Sunday.

Taxi services

There will be designated taxi areas within alternative car parks at Al Wasl Club, Musalla (Mankhool), Residency and Foreign Affairs Department (Jafiliya), Zabeel Park and Al Asayel.

Taxis are expected to transport about 36,450 people in 17,160 journeys during the New Year celebrations.

Water Canal boats

The movement of all boats on Dubai Water Canal in the sector from Jumeirah Road to Ras Al Khor will be stopped from 10pm on December 31 to 6am on January 1.

Footbridges and associated lifts will also be closed for the safety of the public and the Walk on the Sheikh Zayed Bridge above the Water Canal will also be closed.