Dubai Airport Tunnel to be closed tomorrow

The Crises Management Team at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is gearing up for carrying a mock fire drill at the Airport Tunnel in Dubai on this coming Friday, featuring the participation of 11 Government and semi-Government entities in Dubai.

"The drill would be executed on the assumption that two vehicles, one of them loaded with inflammable materials, have crashed in the tunnel resulting in a situation warranting rapid deployment of RTA’s Crises Management Team as well as an effective and direct intervention of the said 11 government and semi-government entities," said Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, Head of Crises Management Team cum CEO of Licensing Agency, RTA

The fire drill in Dubai Airport Tunnel would start at 02:00 am on Friday and continue up to 06:00 am. However, the tunnel would be cordoned off starting from 12:00 midnight. The tunnel would be only cordoned off from the direction to Qusais and Sharjah. The drivers heading towards this direction can alternatively use the Sheikh Mohamad bin Zayed and Ittihad Roads.

"This drill forms part of a specific plan of RTA’s Crises Management Team, and complements the ongoing cooperation with other public and semi-public entities towards the implementation of uniform security and safety standards in sensitive infrastructures, facilities, and districts as well as vital entities and service-providing entities in Dubai. The drill is also aimed to monitor the responsiveness & efficiency of stakeholders in discharging the tasks entrusted to them," added Bahrozyan.

Entities participating in the drill include the National Emergency, Crises and Disaster Management Authority; Emergency, Crises, and Disaster Management Team - Dubai; Directorate General of Civil Defence – Dubai; Dubai Police; Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services; Dubai Municipality; Dubai Electricity & Water Authority; Dubai Health Authority; Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Emirates Airline; and Dubai Airports.