New Year celebrations: How to avoid traffic near Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Emaar announced a comprehensive plan to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow during the New Year's Eve celebrations, which are expected to draw over two million people.
A total of 25 celebration sites and 14 fireworks spots were designated as 40 government entities worked hand in hand to secure New Year's Eve celebrations and bid farewell to the Year of Zayed.
To avoid delays and traffic woes, residents are advised to head to their sites of choice - especially The Dubai Mall - by 5pm.
The Dubai Police allocated 12,000 surveillance cameras that will monitor the Burj Khalifa, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and surrounding residential areas of the main celebration, which will see dazzling fireworks, laser shows and performances starting 11.57pm.
Authorities deployed 18 first aid tents, which will also assist visitors with lost and found items, and 17 ambulances around the Downtown plaza. Seven additional ambulances will be deployed in The Dubai Mall area, with authorities deploying a total of 259 ambulances, 155 emergency points and field hospitals, and 200 service tents across the emirate.
Two police operation rooms will be run throughout the night inside and outside Downtown Dubai, and 4,000 officers with 2,000 police patrols will be spread out across the city. The RTA will provide 170 free shuttle buses that will drive commuters round the clock to and from the Burj Khalifa, and 3,000 parking spaces will be opened at Al Wasl Club, Al Jaffilya and Mankhool Mosque.
Passengers must avoid taking the Metro from the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station from 10pm to 6am the next day. Financial Centre or World Trade Centre metro stations will be the closest stop for Dubai Mall visitors.
Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police, said they had worked on a solution to the overcrowded metro stations.
"We solved the overcrowding issue by closing the Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Metro station and assigning two separate passages for bachelors and families,? said Al Marri. He said access priorities will be given to families.
Al Marri urged families not to bring in big amounts of food and 'inappropriate cooking tools'.
He also revealed a safe evacuation plan set up at celebration sites, in collaboration with the Dubai Civil Defence, which deployed 60 firefighting points with 1,200 firefighters on-site, and the Dubai Ambulance Services Cooperation.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Road closures

Al Asayel Street: Closed at 4pm. Will only be open for buses and emergency vehicles

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard: Closed starting 5pm

Happiness Street: Closed at 6pm from Roda Al Murooj intersection; closed from 8pm from Zabeel intersection, closed from Emirates Towers roundabout at 10pm

Financial Center Road: Closed from 8pm, both upper and lower levels

Al Sukouk Street: Closed from 8pm

Dubai Metro

Burj Khalifa station: Closed from 10pm till 6am the following day. During this time, you may use DIFC or Business Bay metro stations.

Car parking

3,000 parking spaces to serve Burj Khalifa area

Parking spaces are available at Al Wasl Club (1,000 spaces), GDRFA (Immigration) area (500 spaces), and Mankhool Mosque parking area (1,500 spaces).

Shuttle buses

170 shuttle buses to take you to and from the event area