5 things to know about two new Salik toll gates
MOVE WILL REDUCE TRAFFIC SNARLS ON AL KHAIL, SHAIKH ZAYED ROADS
On January 19, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that it would be introducing two new Salik toll gates this year, which would not only distribute traffic across the city’s entire road network, reducing traffic congestion and volume, but also encourage people to use public transport options, like the Dubai Metro, public buses and marine transport.
Where will they be located?
According to RTA, one of the new toll gates will be located on the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and the other will be at Al Safa South on Shaikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan street and Umm Al Sheif street.
When will the new gates be operational?
The gates are set to be fully operational by November.
Will RTA introduce dynamic or flexible toll charges?
In 2022, RTA said that it was considering the option of dynamic pricing for Salik toll gates. Dynamic pricing essentially refers to a system where different toll rates are applied, depending on road usage and the time of the day. Salik said that this could take the form of a higher toll fee for specific lanes or during peak hours.
Recently, RTA responded to a post by Emirati lawyer Habib Al Mulla on X where he suggested that the RTA introduce dynamic pricing for Salik toll gates. In response to the suggestion, RTA posted that dynamic pricing was being considered as one of the solutions in the future, and its application depended on the results of RTA’s transport strategy and the completion of the road network in the emirate.
There is already a Salik gate in Al Safa, will I be charged twice?
No, if you pass both the gates – Al Safa South and North, within a one hour duration, you will only be charged once, as per the RTA’s announcement.
This system is similar to the existing system in place for toll gates in Al Mamzar North and Al Mamzar South. If you pass both those gates in one direction within one hour and without exiting the highway in between the gates, you are charged only once.
What are the alternative routes for the new Salik gates?
According to RTA, the introduction of the new gates will reroute traffic to alternative roads. Alternative routes close to the Al Safa South Salik toll gate, are the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road (E311), Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66), Ras Al Khor Road (E44) and Al Manama Street (D77/D67).
As for the upcoming toll gate on the Business Bay crossing, alternative routes that allow motorists to cross the Dubai Creek are Infinity Bridge (D85) and Al Shindagha Tunnel (D92).
November is when the two Salik toll gates will open on Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Shaikh Zayed Road
6 million hours reduced annually in travel time by Dubai’s existing toll gates, decreasing traffic volumes on Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges by 26 per cent, and increasing mass transit users by nine million.