A Salik toll gate in Al Safa. Picture used for illustrative purposes only

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Friday announced the introduction of a new toll gate (Salik) at the Business Bay Crossing. The move is aligned with the RTA’s comprehensive strategic plan to develop and integrate road networks, public transport routes and services and enhance technical road and transport systems. The initiative also reflects the RTA’s commitment to implementing policies aimed at encouraging public transport usage and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

The RTA also announced the installation of the Al Safa South Toll Gate on Sheikh Zayed Road, between Al Meydan and Umm Al Sheif Streets, for operational and organisational purposes. A single tariff will be required when crossing between the two Safa Gates (north and south) within a one-hour window.

These measures are part of the RTA’s efforts to streamline traffic flows on Dubai's roads by rerouting traffic to alternative traffic corridors such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai - Al Ain Road, Ras Al Khor  Road , and Al Manama Street. They also encourage the use of alternative Creek crossings such as the Infinity Bridge and Al Shindagha Tunnel, besides encouraging residents and visitors to opt for less crowded traffic routes.

As per RTA’s plan, the two gates are set to be fully operational by November 2024, in concurrence with the completion of the Al Khail Road Improvement Project. The project encompasses the construction of five intersections and braided ramps along with the introduction of rapid traffic solutions at two key points along Al Khail Road. It also includes enhancing the surface intersections of First Al Khail Road with Al Meydan and Al Zumurrud Streets.

Transport policies

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said, “Toll gates are part of transport policies aimed to support roads infrastructure and public transport projects by distributing traffic across the entire road network, thus achieving optimal use of those roads. The traffic toll policies also encourage the public to shift towards mass transport means such as the metro, buses, marine transport, and soft mobility options.

“The existing toll gates contributed to reducing the total travel time in Dubai by 6 million hours annually, decreasing traffic volumes on the Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges by 26%, reducing travel times on Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Street by 24%, and increasing the number of mass transit users by 9 million riders per annum,” added Al Tayer.

Traffic benefits

“International consultants' studies and proposals have concluded the need to install a toll gate at the Business Bay Crossing as well as Al Safa South Toll Gate as an operational gate such that a single tariff is required when crossings between the two Al Safa Gates (north and south) within one hour. This measure is intended to maintain traffic service levels, accommodate traffic volumes, and control congestion on the road network and at intersections,” noted Al Tayer.

“The Business Bay Crossing Gate contributes to rerouting traffic from Jebel Ali towards Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Emirates Roads. This diversion reduces traffic on Al Khail Road by 15% to 2,053 vehicles per hour. It also reduced the traffic on Al Rebat Street by 16% to 1,218 vehicles per hour. It will also decrease the traffic volume on Financial Centre Street by about 5% and cut down the total travel time on the congested section of Al Khail Road between Al Rebat Street and Ras Al Khor Road by about 20,000 hours daily in both directions. Installing the operational Al Safa South Gate reduces the traffic turning right from Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Meydan Street by 15%. It also cuts down the traffic flow from Al Meydan and Al Safa Streets to Sheikh Zayed Road by 42% to 1,070 vehicles per hour. It also helps decrease the traffic volume on Sheikh Zayed Road between Financial Centre and Latifa Bint Hamdan Streets by 4% and optimises the use of the First Al Khail and Al Asayel Roads by up to 4%,” added Al Tayer.