Dubai’s road network is set to expand its toll gate system with the introduction of two new gates, announced by Salik Company PJSC, the city’s sole toll operator. The new gates, expected to be operational by November this year, will be located at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, augmenting the existing eight gates managed by Salik.
This expansion, as per the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) directive, aims to optimize traffic flow and alleviate congestion on key routes. After extensive traffic studies, these locations were chosen to redistribute traffic effectively and ensure smoother travel across the city.
Motorists will encounter the new toll gates equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which automatically detects vehicles and deducts a toll fee of Dh4 from the driver’s prepaid account. Notably, the Al Safa South gate will be paired with the existing Al Safa gate, charging only once if the same vehicle passes through both within an hour in the same direction.
The RTA anticipates significant improvements in traffic congestion, with the Business Bay Crossing gate expected to alleviate traffic by 12 to 15 percent on Al Khail Road and redistribute it efficiently across other major routes. Al Safa South aims to decrease right-turn traffic volume by 15 percent from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street and improve flow on surrounding streets.
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, emphasized the strategic importance of the new gates in Salik’s growth plan, especially following its transformation into a public joint stock company in June 2022. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s Urban Plan 2040, focusing on sustainable urban growth and enhanced mobility.
In a move to diversify its services, Salik also announced its plans to manage parking at Dubai Mall starting the third quarter of 2024, leveraging the same advanced technology used in its toll gates for a seamless, ticketless parking experience.