Dubai NYE: Road closures, traffic management plan announced

A comprehensive traffic management plan has been set out ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Downtown Dubai.

The Burj Khalifa area is set for a spectacular light up, welcoming in 2023.

Those wishing to participate in the festivities will be able to enjoy live entertainment across multiple screens located throughout Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid boulevard.
 
On Saturday night, during the build up to New Years Eve, road closures around the Burj Khalifa area are expected from 4:00 pm onwards, however, public transportation will still be in operation.
 
The Burj Khalifa metro station will also close early on New Years Eve. Shuttle buses will be available and clearly signed paths directing guests to the nearest available station.
 
Public Routes

Three routes have been set aside for the public to reach the Burj Khalifa area using Dubai Metro: 

The first is from the Burj Khalifa station and is divided into two paths, one for families, which heads to the Island Park and the area behind the Tower View, and the other is dedicated to general visitors and heads to the South Ridge where viewers can enjoy the fireworks.

The second route is from the Financial Centre station with a path dedicated to families heading to the Boulevard area; the second path is for other groups and heads to the South Edge area. Meanwhile, the third route is for those arriving from the Business Bay station.

"Burj Khalifa station and the metro link, which connects to the Dubai Mall, will be closed at 05:00 pm or when the numbers exceed the capacity of the station. Meanwhile, specific routes have been determined for shoppers and spectators inside the Dubai Mall," said the RTA.

Traffic Management

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA's Public Transport Agency and Deputy Chairman of the Transportation Systems Management Committee during Events, said the traffic and transportation movement on New Year's Eve would be managed from the RTA’s Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3).

He added that teams from the RTA, Dubai Police, Civil Defence and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services will be deployed on the EC3 to  monitor and streamline the movement of traffic and visitors at various hotspots in Dubai, especially in the Burj Khalifa area. 

Road Closure and Timings

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 04:00 pm, upon reaching capacity in the parking area. "We encourage those holding reservations in the Boulevard area or at Dubai Mall to arrive before 04:00 pm on Saturday," said Bahrozyan.

The Lower Deck of the Financial Centre Road will be closed at 04:00 pm and Al Sukook Street will be closed at 8:00 pm.

A closure of Al Asayel Road, extending from Oud Metha Road and leading to Burj Khalifa district, is scheduled at 04:00 pm for the exclusive use of public buses and emergency vehicles.

During the event, Al Mustaqbal Street will gradually shut down between 2nd Za'abeel Road and Al Meydan Road, starting at 04:00 pm.

Metro and tram Services

The red and green lines of the Dubai Metro will operate starting from 05:00 am on Saturday, December 31 and continuously until 12:00 am on Monday, January 2 for a period of 43 hours.

The Tram will operate from 06:00 am on Saturday until 01:00 am on Monday, in order to facilitate the public’s access to the event area and the exit process after the end of the shows.

Additional Parking Lots

The public will have access to approximately 1,500 parking spaces outside the event area for moving to and from the site via the shuttle bus service, which will be in operation starting at 03:00 pm.

A total of 1,000 parking spaces will be available at Al Wasl Club, while 500 will be allocated at Al Jafiliya's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Bus Services

As many as 210 buses would be deployed to serve visitors from the event venue especially to the nearby metro stations and parking lots.

Buses will be deployed on the following routes:

• Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of the Financial Centre to lift the public from Burj Khalifa Metro station to Al Wasl Club, MAX Fashion Metro Station, and Deira City Centre.
• Sheikh Zayed Road heading to Abu Dhabi to lift riders from Burj Khalifa Metro station to Al Safa Metro Station.
• Financial Centre Road to the parking area of Al Wasl Club, Deira City Centre and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
• Burj Khalifa Street heading to Deira City Centre Metro Station.
• Business Bay Metro Station along Sheikh Zayed Road to Deira City Centre Metro Station.

Taxi Services

Parking lots for taxis have been allotted at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and Al Wasl Club, where the public can be transported from the event site by buses.

Directional Signage and Intelligent Traffic Systems

The RTA will install directional signs to guide the public within Burj Khalifa District to ease the movement of pedestrians to and from the venue of the event.

"The light signals on the Financial Centre Road and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be monitored during various peak times in coordination with Emaar Control Room to streamline the traffic flow. The Virtual Messaging Signs will be used to alert road users when closures are made and direct them to the alternative parking areas provided," said Bahrozyan.

"For public safety, pedestrian bridges on the Dubai Water Canal will be closed, as well as the associated lifts. The pedestrian walkway on the Sheikh Zayed Road above the Water Canal will also be closed," he added.

The Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events in #Dubai is fully prepared to secure the 2023 New Year's Eve celebrations.https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f pic.twitter.com/2nUZuizbo1

— RTA (@rta_dubai) December 29, 2022