Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Formula 1 cars will soon be humming on the streets of Baku, welcoming the European Grand Prix in Azerbaijan’s capital.

Along with Monaco and Singapore, Baku will be the third street circuit on the calendar this year. The race scheduled for June 17-19 will see cars run through Baku’s Old Town, a UNESCO World heritage site and the city’s modern boulevards that run along the Caspian Sea, underneath the city’s stunning skyline.

The race organizers have made arrangements to ensure minimal traffic disruptions and improve accessibility to allow members of the public to carry on their normal daily activities in the centre area while enjoying the race excitement.

As the track will start and finish near Government House and cover all the landmarks of the capital city, medieval Old City, modern iconic skyline, and spectacular views across the Caspian Sea, the movement of vehicles will be limited in some central streets of the capital.

Vagif Asadov, the head of the Public Relations Department of the Baku city Traffic Police Department said that the traffic movement will be limited in the city center - on the south side - towards the Neftchiler avenue-Azneft Square from Bayil settlement, the 20th site, and Alat-Astara-Salyan highway.

Starting from Friday – June 3 the entry of vehicles from the Neftchiler avenue, Azneft circle - Flag Square is completely limited and their directions have been changed.

The movement of vehicles in these areas will be mainly carried out from the 14th kilometer of the Baku-Salyan highway on the 3rd ring through the territory of Yasamal district.

Affected roads include the 20th site and close areas, Badamdar settlement, Metbuat street, Mikayil Mushvig and Teymur Elchin street.

To avoid heavy traffic and congestion, the traffic police ask drivers traveling across Neftchiler avenue and Azneft circle to the Flag Square as well as to the Bayil settlement and the 20th circle to use alternative options: from Afiaddin Jalilov-Yusif Safarov, Yusif Safarov-28th May to Bakikhanov, Nariman NArimanov, Inshaatchilar, Huseyn Javid streets and Parliament, Metbuat and Ziya Bunyadov avenues.

Members of the public are encouraged to use public transport during the period of road closure.

In accordance with the Traffic Management Plan which is designed to ensure uninterrupted traffic flows in the affected central streets of Baku, buses and designated metro stations will operate for 20 hours each day, from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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