Written by Gavin Gibbon

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New Year plans for Burj Khalifa celebrations

Dubai’s RTA and Emaar have both released videos detailing logistics behind the New Year’s Eve festivities

By Gavin Gibbon
New Year

Image: AFP/Getty Images

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has revealed traffic plans for the Downtown area of the emirate ahead of the annual New Year’s fireworks extravaganza.

Burj Khalifa will play host to a stunning lightshow, which is due to get underway at 11.57pm and run for eight minutes.

Dubai Police has already revealed plans to have more than 3,000 officers on duty, as well as hundreds of police patrols, in order to provide security to the tens of thousands of party-goers expected to be in attendance.

According to the RTA video Al Asayel Road and Mohamed Bin Rashid Boulevard will both be closed from 4pm, while Happiness Street will close gradually from Meydan and the Zabeel Intersection from 6pm; and both the upper and lower levels of Financial Centre Road will be closed from 6pm. Al Sokouk Street will close from 8pm.

A spokesperson said: “If you are driving, please be extra cautious around pedestrian areas and plan to start your trip as early as possible before road closures to avoid over-crowding.”

Water canal elevators and pedestrian bridges will be closed in Jumeirah, Al Safa and Business Bay.

While the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa metro station will be closed from 10pm and will reopen at 6am on January 1.

The RTA revealed there will be a total of 16,700 parking spaces in the Burj Khalifa area, while 210 shuttle buses will be on hand from the Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa metro station; lower levels of DIFC; Burj Khalifa Boulevard; and the Business Bay metro station.

People with reservations in the Boulevard area or Dubai Mall are urged to arrive before 4pm.

In a further video from Emaar, revellers are reminded not to take party sprays, sharp objects or firecrackers into the area, nor bring baby strollers, bikes or pets.

There will be 15 support tents, a mobile hospital and field hospitals on site.

A spokesperson said: “As we embrace the new Year of Tolerance, let’s unite to celebrate the eve at peace.”

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