New Year's Eve in Dubai: Road closures to start at 4pm; here's a guide

As many as 10,000 surveillance cameras. Nearly 300 vehicles to ply revellers to and from 32 hotspots. Trains running 43 hours non-stop. And 1,200 personnel to deal with any potential risks. Dubai is rolling out a mammoth operation to ensure a safe new year celebration, especially the Burj Khalifa fireworks, one of the world's most sought-after New Year's Eve events.

Dubai has extended public transport timings and announced traffic diversions and road closures to manage crowds and step up surveillance for the safety of the multitude of residents and tourists who have descended on the city.

City authorities have advised people to take note of roads that will remain closed on New Year’s Eve, as well as revised timings of the Dubai Metro and Tram services, asking them to start their journeys to their celebration points early and reach well in advance, as some major roads in the city will not be accessible to the public from 4pm.

These roads include Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, the lower deck of the Financial Centre Road, as well as Al Asayel Road, extending from Oud Metha Road and leading to the Burj Khalifa district. Some of these roads will only be open for the exclusive use of public buses.

Al Mustaqbal Street will also shut down between 2nd Za'abeel Road and Al Meydan Road starting at 4pm. Al Sukook Street will be closed from 8pm while Financial Centre Street’s upper deck will be closed starting 9pm.

Here's a recap of the road closures leading to Burj Khalifa, as shared by the Dubai Media Office today:

The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station will close at 5pm — or earlier, if the numbers exceed the station’s capacity. In such a scenario passengers are advised to use the nearest Metro stations, such as Business Bay and Financial Centre, to reach the New Year celebrations’ venue in the Burj Khalifa area.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Deputy Chairman of the Transportation Systems Management Committee, said: “These closures will be made through the RTA’s operational teams at the site in all locations, equipped with the required logistics for closure operations in collaboration with the Dubai Police. Metro riders may please note that Burj Khalifa Station will be closed from 5:00 pm.”

The emirate’s smart plan for New Year’s Eve will also see 10,000 surveillance cameras used as part of smart monitoring of roads.

Officials have also urged people to make sure that their Nol cards have enough balance for a round-trips. Additionally, residents can also make use of ample parking spots that will be available at the Centre Point, Etisalat, Jebel Ali and Jumeirah Golf Estate Metro stations. After parking their vehicles, they can use the Metro for further commute to the actual spot.

Those willing to leave early and wishing to park closer to the venue may also be able to find parking spots at the Emaar District where 20,284 parking spaces are available at the Dubai Mall, Zabeel Fountain View Expansions and Boulevard Lower parking spots.

Around 210 buses will be deployed to take visitors exiting from the New Year event venues to nearby Metro stations and parking lots. Water canal elevators and pedestrian bridges will be closed in Jumeirah, Al Safa and Business Bay

To reduce overcrowding, fireworks will take place at 32 locations in various parts of Dubai.

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