DUBAI // Phased closures of roads near Burj Khalifa as well as the nearby Metro station on the evening of New Year’s Eve have been announced by the Roads and Transportation Authority.

It is part of a wide ranging RTA strategy aimed at dealing with almost a million revellers that are expected to use public transport on New Year’s Eve.

As in previous years Burj Khalifa Metro station will be closed from 10pm on December 31 to 6am on January 1.

“The RTA had mapped out the operational plan necessary for serving commuters on the eve of the New Year, which normally experiences traffic congestion,” said Metha bin Udai, chief executive of Traffic and Roads Agency who will be heads the operational planning for annual events.

“The plan covers Burj Khalifa district where massive numbers of signboards are being installed to direct traffic from and to the area.”

Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will shut 6 pm to 8 pm depending on the overall flow of traffic flow.

At 8pm the upper and lower decks of the Financial Centre Road will close.

Al Saada Road will close beginning with the Al Murooj Rotana intersection leading to Burj Khalifa and tunnel at 6pm; Zabeel Intersection at 8 pm; Emirates Towers roundabout leading to Al Saada Road at 10 pm; Al Asayel Road at 4pm although public transport and VIP access will continue and Al Sukook Road at 8pm.

“Traffic is guided 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,” said Mr Udai.

“To ensure a smooth traffic flow, light signals on the Financial Center Road and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard would be monitored and controlled to ensure the maximum possible traffic flow at peak hours.”

Around 17,000 car parking spaces at Emaar District made up of spaces in Dubai Mall and surrounding areas and 5,000 spaces outside the event area.

Buses will shuttle in people from car parks at Al Wasl Club, EID Prayers Musalla (Mankhool) at Trade Center, the Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (Jafiliya) and Zabeel Park.

Direction signs to these car parks have been added.

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New Year’s Eve guide

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This year pedestrians will be able to cross Sheikh Zayed Road near Burj Khalifa Metro Station under supervision by Dubai Police who will place extra officers on the route parallel to Burj Khalifa to direct pedestrians.

An additional 160 buses will feed metro stations and alternative parking spaces in addition to existing services with an estimated 60,000 customers being transported.

More than 900,000 people are expected to use Dubai Metro on December 31 and around 480,000 on January 1 with service frequency from 2.38minutes to 8 minutes per train.

New Years Eve Tam rider number will reach 28,000 and 19,500 on New Year’s Day.

There will be designated taxi ranks located at the alternative car park areas with 36,450 customers in 17,160 journeys during the New Year’s celebrations.

There will be fireworks display along the Water Canal from Burj Khalifa to the new site of the Tower at Dubai Creek Harbour.

As a result all boat movements on the canal from Jumeirah Road to Ras Al Khor will halt from 10pm on New Year’s Eve to 6am on New Year’s Day.

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

For more details visit www.rta.ae

nhanif@thenational.ae