Major Abu Dhabi roads to be closed or diverted for triathlon today

A number of major roads will be closed or diverted in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, March 3, 2012, for Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

According to advertisement appeared in the local media, Sheikh Khalifa Highway inbound from Yas Island West Exit will be closed from midnight to 7 pm while access to Yas Island and Ikea is maintained from Yas East Junction. It said all access to Abu Dhabi is via the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road only.

A record 1,855 athletes from 62 countries will participate in US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon tomorrow.

Access to hotels on Saadiyat Island will be from the central junction only on the Dubai-bound carriageway of the Sheikh Khalifa Highway.

Local diversions will be in place and traffic under police direction.

Local roads around Yas Marina Circuit will also be closed but local diversions will be in place from 2am to 3.30 pm. Access will be maintained to hotels from the north via contraflow. It will not be possible to access the hotels through the tunnel.

It also said that Mina Stree Intersection inbound towards Intersection of Corniche Road and Al Khaleej al Arabi Street (#30) will be closed from 5am till 7pm.

Furthermore, Marina Mall intersection bound to/outbound from Heritage Village and UAE large flag pole will be shut from 5am till 9pm.

Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, all fans have been asked to come and cheer the competitors.

The event will have first time representation from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, India, Japan, Lebanon, Macao, Mauritius, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago and Zimbabwe.