Dubai: Salik to Launch 2 New Toll Gates on November 24

Salik to Launch Two New Toll Gates in Dubai on November 24 to Improve Traffic Flow

On November 24, two new Salik toll gates will become operational in Dubai, as announced by Salik PJSC. Located at Business Bay Crossing on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South on Sheikh Zayed Road, these gates are part of an effort to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion across Dubai’s major roadways. The addition of these toll gates will bring the total number of Salik gates in Dubai to ten, further extending Dubai’s road toll network.

Gate Locations and Traffic Impact
The Business Bay toll gate on Al Khail Road and Al Safa South gate on Sheikh Zayed Road will serve two of Dubai’s busiest areas. Business Bay Crossing is a crucial route to Al Khail Road, which is notorious for its heavy traffic, and is especially well-liked by commuters from Sharjah, Al Nahda, and Al Qusais. Both sites have been carefully selected to enhance traffic flow and travel times, particularly during rush hours.

Anticipated Decreases in Traffic
Ibrahim Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, described how local traffic is expected to be affected by the new toll gates. It is anticipated that the Business Bay Crossing gate will significantly alleviate traffic on:

Al Khail Road by 12–15%
Al Rabat Street by 10–16%
Similarly, the Al Safa South toll gate is projected to reduce traffic by 15% for vehicles making a right turn from Sheikh Zayed Road to Meydan Street. This gate also aims to ease the traffic flow between Financial Center Street and Meydan Street and redirect vehicles to First Al Khail Street and Al Asayel Street, which have greater capacity.

Sustainability of the Environment and Integrated Tolling
To create a single tolling system, the Al Safa South toll gate works in tandem with the current northern Al Safa toll gate. In an effort to make travel easier and lower expenses for drivers, vehicles that pass through both gates in a single hour will only be charged a single toll.

Both of the new toll gates will be powered nearly exclusively by solar energy, in keeping with Dubai’s dedication to sustainability. In keeping with Dubai’s green energy goals, this innovation marks a substantial shift toward renewable energy solutions, making it a milestone for Salik.

Explanation of Dynamic Pricing and Toll Rates
On social media, there have been reports that dynamic pricing may be implemented across Salik gates. This would entail different toll prices depending on peak and off-peak hours, with prices ranging from Dh8 to free. Since then, Salik has denied these allegations, claiming that the new gates will not be used with dynamic pricing.

Al Haddad clarified that toll rates are regulated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and would require approval from the Dubai Executive Council before any changes are made. Currently, all Salik gates charge a standard fee of Dh4 per crossing, which remains consistent across all gates.

Impact on the Economy and Operations
For Dubai, the Salik toll system continues to be a significant source of income. About 593 million trips went through Salik toll gates in 2023 alone, demonstrating how widely used the system is. The demand for Dubai’s road infrastructure has grown, as evidenced by the Dh1.1 billion in income generated by 238.5 million trips in the first half of 2024—a 5.6% increase over the same time the year before.

Future of Toll Gates in Dubai
When questioned about further toll gates beyond those scheduled for November, Al Haddad confirmed that no fixed timetable exists for additional gates. Decisions on new toll gates are based on thorough traffic and congestion analyses, and any potential expansion would aim to optimize road usage and enhance overall transport efficiency.

As Dubai continues to grow, the Salik toll system may be adjusted as part of the city’s broader transport strategy. This can entail different price structures or more toll gates to accommodate changing traffic patterns and levels of congestion. Future toll rate changes, however, will be contingent upon the results of RTA’s strategic evaluations and require approval from Dubai’s Executive Council.

Key Points
Launch Date: November 24
New Toll Gate Locations: Business Bay Crossing (Al Khail Road) and Al Safa South (Sheikh Zayed Road)
Traffic Impact: Expected reduction in congestion, with up to 16% less traffic on key roads
Unified Tolling: Al Safa South and Al Safa North gates offer a combined toll within a one-hour period
Sustainability: Both new gates will be solar-powered, supporting Dubai’s green energy goals
Fixed Pricing: No dynamic pricing; toll fee remains Dh4 per crossing