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Roads to be closed for Qasr Al Hosn fest

The roads around Qasr Al Hosn in the Capital will be closed between February 28 and March 9 to facilitate the celebration of the historic fort’s 250th anniversary.

The Department of Transport (DoT) announced on Sunday that five major and internal streets will be closed from 2pm till 6pm on Thursday, most notably the Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (known as Airport Road), from Hamdan Street intersection to Al Falah intersection, one of the busiest areas in the Capital.

“About 5,000 people are involved in Qasr Al Hosn Festival, and the first day will be specially busy with bringing in equipment, and for everybody’s safety it is better to close the nearby streets,” said general manager of the Bus Office and chairman of Events Committee at DoT Saeed Mohammed Al Hameli.

“Plus, this is the first time such a festival is taking place in Abu Dhabi and since it celebrates our history, culture and heritage, we expect a lot of people to come,” he added.

Also closed on February 28 will be the Zayed First Street from Airport Road Intersection to Khalid bin Waleed intersection, Hamdan Street between the same two intersections, Al Falah Street from Airport Road to Karama Street intersections, Khaled bin Waleed Street between Hamdan Street and Zayed First Street intersections and Al Mashtal Street in Khalidiya area, between Airport Road and King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Street.

“Those who need to drive to the area for work, should allocate an extra 10 to 20 minutes for their journey,” mentioned Al Hameli.

In order to avoid heavy congestion on the nearby alternative routes, DoT will increase the bus frequency and will also change the direction of some of the buses on February 28, from 1pm to 6pm. In addition, DoT will provide a Park and Ride free service to the public, located at Mashtal Al Manhal in Khalidiyah (near Corniche) with more than 500 free parking spots.

This service will be available for the entire duration of the festival, starting on February 28 from 7pm until 1am, and from March 1 to 9 from 2pm to midnight on weekdays and from 2pm till 1am on weekdays. DoT is working with the Abu Dhabi Police and the festival’s organiser, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority to inform the public about the street closures, detours and re-routing of bus services. silvia@khaleejtimes.com

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Detoured bus routes

• On February 28 (2pm-6pm):

Route 006 that operates Zayed First Street and Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street will be detoured to Fourth Street (known as Al Muroor Street) going through Hamdan Street and then follow the normal route.

• Route 007 that operates Zayed First Street will be detoured to Fourth Street going through Hamdan Street to Sixth Street, and then follow the normal route.
• Route 008 that operates Fourth Street and Zayed First Street will be detoured to Hamdan Street going through Sixth Street and then follow the normal route.
• Route 009 that operates Al Falah Street will be detoured to Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, going through Hazza Bin Zayed Street, then Al Karama Street and then follow the normal route.
• Route 032 that operates Zayed First Street will be detoured to Fourth Street going through Hamdan Street and Sixth Street, then follow the normal route.
• Route 034 that operates Zayed First Street and Rashid bin Saeed Street will be detoured to Hazza bin Zayed Street going through Al Karama Street, Al Falah Street, Khalid bin Al Waleed Street and then back to Zayed First Street going through Sixth Street and Hamdan Street, then follow the normal route.
• Route 044 that operates Al Karama Street to Al Falah Street will be detoured from Al Karama Street going through Hazza Bin Zayed Street, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street and Al Falah Street going through the Fourth Street to Zayed First Street, then follow the normal route.
• Route 054 going through the main bus station heading to Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street to Hamdan Street will be detoured to Fourth Street to Hamdan Street and then follow the normal route.