Dubai puts plan in place for NY festivities

dubai — The Roads and Transport and Authority (RTA) and the Dubai Police have announced on Wednesday the traffic plan around Burj Khalifa in anticipation of the hundreds of thousands of UAE residents and visitors who will ring in the New Year at the world’s tallest tower.

The RTA said “based on lessons learned from last year, an integrated plan has been mapped out to move the public from the event site to their destinations, which include setting up an ad hoc pedestrian crossing on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Business Bay Station to facilitate the movement from and to the other side of the road. There will be two temporary crosswalks on Sheikh Zayed Road.”

Aside from the Dubai Metro, 90 buses on Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are assigned to lift the public from the Burj Khalifa Metro station to and from the Al Jafiliya station and Mankhool prayer yard; 20 buses on Sheikh Zayed Road heading to Abu Dhabi will lift riders from the Burj Khalifa Metro station to Noor Islamic Bank Metro station; 35 buses to lift riders from Financial Centre Street to the parking lots of Al Wasl Club, Jafiliya and Deira City Centre; 20 buses on Financial Centre Street to lift riders to the parking of Al Jafiliya Station and Al Mankhool Prayer yard; and 5 buses to lift riders nearby Dubai Water Canal to Noor Islamic Bank Metro station.

There will also be additional directional signs to inform the public of alternative parking slots and to guide pedestrians to the available transportation services at the time of departure.

Some roads will be closed starting at 4pm (Al Asayel Street from Oud Metha to Financial Centre) and the Burj Khalifa Metro station will be closed at 10pm but buses will be distributed to facilitate the lifting of riders to their destinations.

The RTA and the Dubai Police advised the public to use mass transport to access the event venue. Those who have made reservations at restaurants in the Boulevard or at The Dubai Mall should arrive before 5pm to avoid any inconveniences.

Motorists are advised to take alternative routes and follow the directional signs provided. Vehicles are not allowed to park at the event’s venue, especially on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, in order to maintain traffic safety and open the way for emergency vehicles.

Moreover, the RTA encouraged everyone “to be patient, cooperative and follow the instructions of authorities and police personnel”.