Motorists warned of road closures around Marina for Abu Dhabi Triathlon

Motorists are being warned of road closures around the Marina area as hundreds of athletes take to the streets and the sea for the 2015 IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.

This year the Abu Dhabi Triathlon is not an exhibition event — it is the opening race of the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) World Series. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Motorists are being warned of road closures around the Marina area as athletes take to the streets and the sea for the 2015 IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday.

This year, the Abu Dhabi Triathlon is not an exhibition event, it is the opening race of the International Triathlon Union's (ITU) World Series. There are two separate courses, one for professional triathletes and one for amateurs.

“We’ve been working with the Abu Dhabi Municipality and other government entities for many months to ensure a safe experience for everyone,” said Steyn Momberg, director of operations of the 2015 IPIC World Triathlon Abu Dhabi.

“The city side of the Corniche road will still be open to traffic. Other than the big involvement by the Abu Dhabi traffic police, we have a big marshal contingent controlling the competitors on the route; more than 80 traffic marshals are in place, and we are cordoning off the routes with police barriers and traffic cars.”

The Marina Theatre Road surrounding the venue will be closed from 8am to 2pm on Friday during the event times, while one lane on the Corniche heading towards Marina Mall will be shut from 10.30am to 11am.

On Saturday, the Marina Theatre Road and one lane on the Corniche heading towards Marina Mall will be closed from 3am to 7pm. The Corniche Road to Mina Port will be closed from 3am to 3pm.

The Heritage Sailing Regatta will not be affected by the road closures, but 18th Street will be a two-way traffic on the Emirates Palace side and closed on the Corniche side. Only the sea side of the Corniche will be closed to traffic on both days.

The closures were announced yesterday by the Safety and Traffic Solutions Committee, which comprises Abu Dhabi Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, the Department of Transport and the Urban Planning Council.

This year, the course goes as far as Saadiyat Island at its longest and that only for amateur competitors. The world's top triathletes will be swimming in the breakwater, then running and cycling around the Corniche.

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Organisers have drawn up alternative routes to the site for the race weekend.

Motorists travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi on Sheikh Zayed Street (Salam Street) are advised to take the Eastern Ring Road Exit 8, continue straight, merge onto Hazza bin Zayed Street (11th Street), slight right into King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, slight right towards and onto 18th Street, and continue onto Marina Mall Ring Road.

Those coming from Dubai via Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, using Sheikh Khalifa Highway, need to continue driving straight onto the Mina Link, onto Hamdan Street, turn left onto Mubarak bin Mohammed Street, turn right onto Khalidiyah Street (7th Street), turn right onto King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, slight right towards and onto 18th Street, and continue onto Marina Mall Ring Road.

Motorists from Al Ain using Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (30th Street) need to turn left onto Delma Street (13th Street), turn right onto Al Bateen Street, turn left onto Hazza bin Zayed Street, slight right onto King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, slight right towards and onto 18th Street, and continue onto Marina Mall Ring Road.