Dubai's New Salik Toll Gates Are Getting Ready. Here's How They Will Enhance Your Experience

Salik has started installing two new toll gates in Dubai. One gate is at the Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Street, and the other is on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif Streets. These gates are expected to be operational by November 2024, aligning with the completion of the Al Khail Road Improvement Project.

Motorists will be charged Dh4 each time they pass through a Salik toll gate. However, if drivers cross both Safa Gates (north and south) within an hour in the same direction, they will only be charged once. This policy is similar to the existing arrangement at the Al Mamzar North and South Gates.

The introduction of these new toll gates aims to distribute traffic more evenly across Dubai's road network. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), stated that these measures encourage people to use public transport options like the metro, buses, marine transport, and soft mobility solutions.

RTA anticipates the new diversion will alleviate traffic on Al Khail Road by 15%, equating to 2,053 fewer vehicles per hour. This change is also expected to reduce congestion on Al Rebat Street by 16%, or 1,218 vehicles per hour, and ease the typically crowded Financial Street by about 5%.

In addition, the RTA projects a significant decrease in travel time on the busy section of Al Khail Road between Al Rebat Street and Ras Al Khor Road. The total travel time is expected to be cut down by approximately 20,000 hours daily in both directions. This improvement aims to enhance the overall efficiency of the road network.

The introduction of the Al Safa South Gate is another strategic move by the RTA. It is expected to reduce right-turn traffic from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Meydan Street by 15%. Moreover, it will likely decrease traffic flow from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets to Sheikh Zayed Road by an impressive 42% which translates to 1,070 vehicles per hour.

Furthermore, the RTA has indicated that these measures will help lower traffic volume on Sheikh Zayed Road between Financial Centre and Latifa Bint Hamdan Streets by 4%. This optimisation will also extend to First Al Khail and Al Asayel Roads, improving their usage by up to 4%.ds and intersections.

Salik's eight existing toll gates have facilitated business and tourism activities in Dubai. The number of revenue-generating trips increased by 1.2% during the second quarter of 2024. This growth led to a total of 115.7 million revenue-generating trips, marking a 1.6% year-on-year increase—the highest for any second quarter since Salik's inception.

The installation of these new toll gates aligns with RTA’s strategic plan aimed at improving road networks and public transport services in Dubai. The goal is not only to manage congestion but also to promote a shift towards mass transit options among residents.