Major diversions set for Dubai Tour

Dubai: Several key roads in Dubai will be closed and traffic will be diverted during the four-day Dubai Tour that starts tomorrow, a top police official said.

Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to Dubai Police Chief for Operations’ Affairs, said that major arterial roads and highways such as Shaikh Zayed Road, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Jumeirah Road will be affected during the event.

The tour, a sanctioned event of world cycling body UCI, will see some of the biggest names of the sport such as Mark Cavendish, Rui Costa and Fabian Cancellara riding on the streets of Dubai.

DIVERSION PLANS:

STAGE 1: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5; 1.00PM

Route: The Start Village, near Ibis Hotel, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) - DIFC - Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Boulevard - near Burj Khalifa - Return to DWTC via same route

Starting point: Dubai World Trade Centre

Roads closed: Shaikh Zayed Road, roads that lead to Dubai Mall, and Al Khail Road will be closed for the duration of all the pelotons passing by.

Alternative roads: People have been advised to use Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road to access Dubai. They should also stay on roads which are far away from the route of the tour on the day.

Expected time for tour’s finish: Around 4.30pm

STAGE 2: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6; 11.20AM

Route: The Start Village - DWTC - Zabeel Road - Meydan Road - Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road - Umm Suqueim Road - Al Sufouh Road - Emirates Hills - The Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah - End

Starting point: Dubai World Trade Centre

Roads closed: All roads on the itinerary and access roads leading up to them will remain closed for the duration of all the pelotons passing by.

Alternative roads: Only Emirates Road (formerly Dubai Bypass Road) can be used to access areas in Dubai not affected by the tour.

Expected time for tour’s finish: Around 4.30pm

STAGE 3: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7; 10.30AM

Route: The Start Village - DWTC - Airport Road - Khawaneej Road - Emirates Road - Al Hubab Road - Hatta - End

Starting point: Dubai World Trade Centre

Roads closed: All roads above will be closed, but only in the direction of the tour and only for the duration of the peloton passing by. The other direction of the road will be open to traffic at all times.

Alternative roads: According to Dubai Police, there will be no alternative roads on this day as most of Dubai’s roads will be closed.

Expected time for tour’s finish: Around 4.30pm

STAGE 4: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8; 11.30AM

Route: The Start Village - DWTC - Shaikh Zayed Road - Baniyas Road - Al Seef Road - Al Ras - Al Shindagha Road - Al Diwan Road - Jumeirah Road - Al Orouba Road - Burj Plaza - End

Starting point: Dubai World Trade Centre

Roads closed: All roads in the itinerary above, in the direction of the route and for the duration of the entire bunch of cyclists passing by.

Alternative roads: According to Major General Al Zafein, since Jumeirah is both a residential and commercial area and will be closed during the hours of the event, Jumeirah residents are advised to park their cars on the side of the road that will be open to traffic. “This way, residents can use their cars if they have to,” he said.

Expected time for tour’s finish: Around 4.30pm