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28 March 2024

Dubai Tour update: Traffic gridlock on Sheikh Zayed Road

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

The traffic gridlock on Sheikh Zayed Road continues to persist in wake of the Dubai Tour four-day cycle race, resulting in several road closures and diversions.

At 4pm, commuters were still tweeting that the above-mentioned highway was at a gridlock, with the Latifa Hospital exit in Al Khail Road also barricaded.

Photos taken on Wednesday evening show major traffic jam on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Asy tweeted at the time: “Avoid Sheikh Zayed Road. Both directions heavy with traffic due to the Dubai Tour. Find alternative route.”

Jaffir also messaged: “Dubai Tour 2014: Major traffic on both carriageways of Sheikh Zayed Road. Internal lanes leading up to first.”

Another added: Avoid the World Trade Centre if you can - several road closures!”

Traffic Dubai tweeted: “Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai is moving slow due to congestion near Dubai Mall exit.”

Meanwhile Dubai Police provided a live update stating Sheikh Zayed Road from Al Quoz bridge to Sharjah, Sheikh Rashid Road from Al Garhoud bridge to Abu Dhabi and AL Khail Road before Dubai Mall, heading into Abu Dhabi are all facing major traffic congestion.

A major traffic gridlock on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Dubai Police has also confirmed the authority has assigned 70 police patrols and 85 traffic policemen to organise traffic movement during Dubai Tour.

Commuters have been warned to brace themselves for similar conditions tomorrow (Thursday) when the race is expected to resume at 11:20am in the second stage across 121kms.

The route will take the cyclists from the Dubai World Trade Centre to Zabeel Road, Meydan Road, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Road, Al Sufouh Road, Emirates Hills and The Palm Jumeirah.

Roads connecting Sheikh Zayed Road witnessed heavy traffic on Wednesday evening. As seen in the picture, traffic moving at snail's pace on Al Wasl Road.

The RTA and Dubai Police have confirmed that roads along the route will remain closed to traffic until 4.30pm.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has also confirmed that 30 schools will remain closed on Thursday, with Emirates 24|7 confirming another two schools to the list.