Dubai gets 2 new Salik toll gates in November 2024
Locations are Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South
Dubai emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority is introducing two new automatic toll gates (Salik) at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Safa South in Dubai City.
The two new toll gates – to be operated by Salik Company – will be fully operational in November 2024, with an AED4 charge for crossing at a time.
Salik Company (Salik), Dubai’s exclusive tollgate operator, confirmed on January 19, 2024, that Dubai’s RTA has formally assigned the company to install the two new toll gates to optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion on key routes within Dubai.
49-year concession
Salik has the exclusive right to operate existing and future toll gates in Dubai emirate under a 49-year concession agreement – ending in 2071 – with Dubai’s RTA.
With the launch of the two new toll gates, Salik will register a substantial increase in annual revenue-generating trips by motorists in Dubai.
The new Business Bay Crossing toll gate is expected to reroute traffic from Jebel Ali towards alternative roads, reducing traffic on Al Khail Road and other connected streets.
The new Al Safa South toll gate on Sheikh Zayed Road will be between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif Streets. A single tariff will be required to cross between the two Safa toll gates (North and South) within one hour.
November 2024 online
The two new toll gates are set to be fully operational by November 2024, coinciding with the completion of the Al Khail Road improvement project. This project includes the construction of five intersections and braided ramps, along with the implementation of rapid traffic solutions at two critical points on Al Khail Road.
The introduction of the two new toll gates is part of Dubai RTA’s efforts to optimise traffic flows on Dubai’s roads by redirecting traffic to alternative corridors such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai-Al Ain Road, Ras Al Khor Road, and Al Manama Street.
The initiative also encourages alternative Dubai Creek crossings, including the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel, promoting less congested routes for Dubai emirate residents and visitors.
With the installation of the two new toll gates on Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South in November 2024, Dubai will have a total of 10 automatic toll gates in place, up from the current eight located at Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Barsha, Al Mamzar North, Al Mamzar South, Al Safa, Airport Tunnel, and Jebel Ali.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chair of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s RTA, emphasised the significance of toll gates in supporting infrastructure and public transport projects in Dubai.
Al Tayer stated: “The traffic toll policies encourage the public to shift towards mass transport means such as the metro, buses, marine transport, and soft mobility options.”
Al Tayer added that the existing toll gates in Dubai City have contributed to reducing total travel time in Dubai by six million hours annually, decreasing traffic volumes on key bridges, and increasing mass transit users in the Arab Gulf emirate.
Salik IPO
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, stated: “The addition of new toll gates in two increasingly busy locations marks the latest milestone in the growth plan we set out at the time of Salik’s initial public offering.
“Our partnership with [Dubai’s] RTA in launching these new gates is another important step in our journey to enhancing Dubai’s transport infrastructure with smart and sustainable mobility solutions. These two new gates aim to improve overall mobility throughout the city, facilitating smoother and more efficient travel for road users.”
According to Dubai’s RTA, international consultants recommended installing toll gates at the Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South to maintain traffic service levels, accommodate volumes, and control congestion.
Salik operates all eight automatic toll gates in Dubai, utilising Radio-Frequency-Identification (RFID) and Automatic-Number-Plate-Recognition (ANPR) technologies.
Project works
According to the concession agreement with Dubai’s RTA, Salik will oversee the civil works required for constructing, operating, and maintaining the two new toll gates at Business Bay Crossing and Al Safa South.
The newly announced Business Bay Crossing toll gate is expected to assist in improving traffic congestion by 12-15% on Al Khail Road, reducing traffic volume by 10-16% on Al Rabat Street, and redistributing traffic to Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges and Ras Al Khor Street.
On the other hand, the new Al Safa South toll gate will reduce right-turn traffic volume from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street by 15% and optimise traffic flow on the Financial Centre, First Al Khail, and Al Asayel streets.
In 2022, the eight Salik toll gates in Dubai recorded 539 million road journeys, whether by UAE residents commuting within Dubai or by tourists visiting Dubai. Salik achieved AED1.89 billion in revenue in 2022.
‘Salik’ means ‘seamless mobility’ in Arabic.
Featured image: Al Mamzar automatic toll gate is one of eight operated by Salik across Dubai City. Image: Arnold Pinto
Last Updated on 10 months by Arnold Pinto
