The traffic management plans for New Years Eve in Downtown Dubai have been announced. The comprehensive plans are in place to ensure the smooth movement of the thousands of people expected to witness the celebrations.
In the build up to New Year's Eve, certain roads around Downtown Dubai will be closed form early afternoon and public transport will still be in operation, however Burj Khalifa Metro Station and the link to Dubai Mall is expected to close at 5pm.
Public Routes
Three separate routes have been developed for those using Dubai Metro to reach the Burj Khalifa area.
The first is from the Burj Khalifa station and is divided into two paths, one for families and heads towards the Island Park and the area behind the Tower View, and the other path is dedicated to other groups 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.
The third route is for those arriving from the Business Bay station.
Traffic Management
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency and Deputy Chairman of the Transportation Systems Management Committee during Events, said the traffic and transportation movement would be managed on New Year's Eve from RTA’s Enterprise Command and Control Centre (EC3).
Ahmed Bahrozyan further added that the RTA’s teams, in coordination with the Operations Room of Dubai Police and Emaar, will be present at site and that the plan included five key pillars aimed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic through relying on RTA’s mass transit services as well as other services in coordination with the police, Emaar and stakeholders that aim to make concerted efforts for the success of the event.
Road Closure and Timings
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 4pm and upon reaching capacity in the parking area.
The lower level of Financial Centre Road will be closed at 4pm and Al Sukook Street will be closed at 8pm. Al Asayel Road, extending from Oud Metha Road and leading to Burj Khalifa district, is scheduled to be closed at 4pm and open only for public buses and emergency vehicles.
Al Mustaqbal Street will gradually shut down between 2nd Za'abeel Road and Al Meydan Road starting at 4pm.
Metro and Tram Services
The red and green lines of the Dubai Metro will operate starting from 5am on Saturday 31 December and operate continuously for 43 hours. The Dubai Tram will run from 6am on Saturday 31 December until 1am on Monday 2 January 2023.
Additional Parking Lots
There are approximately 1,500 parking spaces outside the event area, of which 1,000 parking spaces will be at Al Wasl Club and 500 at Al Jafiliya's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, where access to the celebration areas is through the commuter bus service, which will be in operation from 3pm.
Public Transport Services
210 buses would be in place to take visitors from the event venue to the nearby metro stations and parking lots. On the following routes, the bus service will be free of charge for commuters on the designated routes. Buses will be deployed in the following areas:
- Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of the Financial Centre to take 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 take the public 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 assigned at Al Wasl Club and Al Jafiliya's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
Directional Signage and Intelligent Traffic Systems
The RTA will instal directional signs to guide the public within Burj Khalifa District to ease the movement of pedestrians to and from the venue of the event.
Ahmed Bahrozyan said “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.”
Pedestrian bridges and their lifts on the Dubai Water Canal will be closed and the pedestrian walkway on Sheikh Zayed Road above the Dubai Water Canal will also be closed.
RTA, Dubai Police and Emaar will run a joint service for responding to enquiries about the details of the proposed plan via social media channels. The public can also make enquiries through RTA’s toll-free number (800-9090).