New Year’s Eve in Dubai is always a grand affair and there is a lot to see and do around the city. Festivities this year have been altered a little, and while there are no fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, the new light show is an anticipated event. If you are planning to head to Downtown Dubai on December 31,
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2. Al Asayel Street, from Oud Metha to the Financial Centre Road, will be closed at 4pm.
3. Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed at 5pm. Financial Center Road and Sukuk Road will be closed at 8pm.
4. Al Sa’ada Street will be closed in the following manner:
- At 6pm closure of Al Murooj Rotana junction leading to Burj Khalifa and the tunnel area.
- At 8pm the Emirates Towers Intersection will be closed.
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5. Burj Khalifa Metro Station will be closed at 10pm on December 31, 2017. If needed, it could also be closed earlier – depending on the situation. Resumption will be on January 1, 2018 at 5.30am.
6. 62 directional signs will guide passengers to the Business Bay and Financial Centre Metro stations during this time. 67 signs will be placed in the Burj Khalifa area to facilitate pedestrian traffic to reach the event area and facilitate the exit process.
7. Four additional parking areas, with 4,000 parking spaces, provided for those want to witness the New Year festivities at Burj Khalifa. These will be connected by bus and taxi. Signs will be placed to direct motorists to these.
Locations:
- Al Wasl Club parking - 1,000 spots
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at Al Jafiliya - 500 spots
- Eid Musalla at Mankhool - 1,500 spots
- Dubai Water Canal - 1,000 spots
8. Events start at 5pm around Burj Khalifa.
9. 170 buses will be deployed around Shaikh Zayed Road and Financial Center Road. They will be deployed in the following manner:
- 90 buses on Shaikh Zayed Road, heading in the Dubai direction, to transport the public in front of the Burj Khalifa Metro station to Jafiliya and Mankhool.
- 20 buses on Sheikh Zayed Road, heading in the Abu Dhabi direction, to transport the public from Burj Khalifa Metro station to Noor Islamic Bank Metro Station.
- 35 buses to transport the public from the Financial Centre Road to Al Wasl Club, Jafiliya and Deira City Center.
- 20 buses on Financial Centre Road to transport the public to the bus hubs in Jafiliya and Mankhool.
- 5 buses near Dubai Water Canal to Noor Islamic Bank Metro Station.
10. Al Jafiliya Metro Station will have a hub for buses. People can go from the Burj Khalifa area to the Al Jafiliya station and then proceed to their destinations in one of the buses located there. Other hubs are Creek Metro Station and Al Rashidiya Metro Station.
11. 23,100 passengers would be transported during the departure time between 12pm and 4am.
12. 18,000 taxis will be deployed during the event and about 38,500 passengers are expected to be transported.
13. There will be 23 ambulances around Burj Khalifa, eight ambulances inside Dubai Mall, three mobile hospitals and five emergency response vehicles in the area from 2pm onwards.
14. No taxis will be available in the Burj Khalifa area. Customers can only get dropped off.
15. There are three exits for pedestrians from the Burj Khalifa area. One in front of Burj Khalifa, one in front of the Business Bay Metro Station and one near the Dubai Water Canal walkway.
16. Dubai Police will be using social media channels to send updates and news on December 31 about crowded areas and traffic congestion. For RTA enquires, people can call their hotline 8009090.
17. Separate dedicated areas will be available for People of Determination and families.
18. 23 tents equipped with juices and water will be present to cater to the public.
19. Cooking equipment, large bags or suitcases and personal tents are prohibited and will be confiscated if found.
20. Event’s Security Committee has launched a smart app to highlight all nearby services and parking areas.
Projected number of Metro riders:
On Sunday, December 31, 2017: 900,000 riders.
On Monday, January 1, 2018: 480,000 riders.
Projected number of tram riders
On Sunday, December 31, 2017: 28,000 riders.
On Monday, January 1, 2018: 19,500 riders.
About 2,000,000 riders are expected to use public transport in Dubai this New Year’s Eve.
Tips for road users:
Use public transport to access the event venue.
Use alternative routes according to the directional signs provided.
Be patient, cooperative and follow the instructions of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police personnel.
Vehicles should not be parked on the streets around the event’s venue, especially on Shaikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, in order to maintain traffic safety and open the way for emergency vehicles.
Individuals who have reservations in the Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard or at the Dubai Mall have to come before 5pm.
