Motorists stuck in traffic jams as Dubai Mall attracts visitors

Dubai: A huge traffic jam stranded motorists for more than two hours on Friday as motorists queued up to get into the newly opened Dubai Mall, commuters said.

Police said the traffic was bad because it was also a weekend. "Everyone wants to see what the mall is like," said a police officer at Bur Dubai police station.

"It was a nightmare," said Omar, who was stuck on Al Khail Road near an exit to Jumeirah. "I was waiting there for over two hours. The line hardly moved the whole time." His workplace was just a few minutes away from where he was stuck.

It was also slow going for motorists coming from Al Wasl Road to the Dubai Mall.

"I sat in traffic in front of Murooj Rotana Hotel for over two hours from 4pm to 6.05pm. This distance usually takes me three minutes to reach the office," said Flo. "I could see police cars also helplessly stuck in the traffic," she said.

Dubai Mall is the emirate's largest mall.

I think everyone should stop complaining. It was your decision to go. I prefer to go after a couple of weeks and I am sure the mall will still be there.If the traffic is a mess, it is the people who are responsible for it.
Rajesh Asarpota
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 16:07

I think the reason behind this is bad planning. This traffic jam is not only affecting the motorists going to Dubai Mall, but the ones all around the city too.
Joypo
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 15:40

This is a huge mess. RTA and Dubai police should take action in order to make it better.
Salim
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 14:14

It is a disaster. After a long wait to reach the mall, I found out it was not worth it.
Anwar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 13:24

I think there should me more coordination between the RTA and the mall adminstration.
Alex
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 13:00

Our whole Friday outing was a mess as we were stuck on the new bridge to Dubai Mall for about an hour. After we reached the signal we decided not to go anywhere near the mall as the traffic scene was terrible. There were cars stuck on every road approaching the mall. We decided to go to Festival City instead.
Loraine D'souza
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 12:01

The traffic is expected as the roads which lead to the mall are not completely ready and it is the first week of the opening of the mall. I would go only after a few months and after the roads are completely ready for the mall.
Saif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 11:26

This event refreshes my failing attempt to reach Mall of the Emirates, when it was opened to public. That took me over three hours to get there only to have a glimpse of it from the road as I had to return for non-availability of parking at the mall.
Clint
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 09:37

I think this jam was caused because many people wanted to see the mall out of curiosity and not for needing to shop.Some people also have the wrong notion that because it was friday they will experience smooth traffic flow.
Dexter
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 09:36

The best thing we did was that we parked our car away and walked to the mall.
Jasreen
Ajman,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 08:46

It was amzaing to see the Dubai Mall. The aquarium was great. It is superb. The design of the mall is lovely. I went at 11am, and the traffic and crowd was light.
KK.Rajaram
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 08:26

What a disaster. It took us two and a half hours of waiting and we still did not even see the parking lot.
Drew
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 07:34

This was fully expected as it was clear that the parking at Dubai Mall has a poor traffic flow. This Mall will continue to be a headache to enter or exit when weekend residents go to the mall. Once you go inside, it is worth it though!
Wigger
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 08, 2008, 00:20